Neetu David Joins UP Warriorz as Chief Scout
Neetu David, a former India spinner and selector, has been appointed as the chief scout for UP Warriorz (UPW) ahead of the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. The franchise announced her appointment on Wednesday. David’s role will involve identifying emerging domestic talent to strengthen the team, which has faced challenges in consistency during the initial four editions of the tournament.
David’s extensive experience includes serving as the chairperson of the India women’s selection committee. Her administrative and talent identification credentials are considered immense, particularly given her involvement in India’s 2025 ODI World Cup winning campaign. The UP Warriorz franchise expressed their enthusiasm for her arrival, highlighting her background as a selector for a World Cup-winning squad.
The appointment comes as UP Warriorz seeks to revamp its talent identification process following several lean seasons in the WPL. David participated in an off-season camp for UPW domestic players at the Sai Krishnan Grounds in Bengaluru last week, where she joined the support staff. This staff is led by head coach Abhishek Nayar and also includes fielding coach Saurabh Bandekar and mentor Lisa Sthalekar.
David’s Distinguished Career and New Responsibilities
Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Neetu David brings a unique perspective to her new role. Kshemal Waingankar, COO & Director of Cricket at Capri Sports, emphasised that David’s local roots in Uttar Pradesh make her association with the franchise particularly significant. Waingankar noted that her experience as both an international cricketer and a selection committee chairperson provides her with a valuable understanding of talent identification and what is required to succeed at the highest level.
In a statement, David expressed her delight at joining UP Warriorz. She highlighted her many years of playing and working within Indian women’s cricket, during which she observed the significant talent present across the country. David stated that for her, scouting involves not only identifying performances but also recognising potential and understanding how a player can develop with the right opportunities and environment. She looks forward to contributing to the development of a strong talent pipeline for the franchise.
David’s international playing career spanned 13 years, from 1995 to 2008. During this period, she represented India in 10 Tests and 97 ODIs, securing 182 international wickets across both formats. She is widely recognised as one of India’s finest slow left-arm orthodox spinners. A notable achievement in her career was taking 8-53 in a women’s Test match against the West Indies in Jamshedpur in 1995, a performance that holds the world record for the best bowling figures in an individual innings in Women’s Test cricket.
UP Warriorz’ Performance History
The UP Warriorz have faced challenges in establishing consistent performance since the inception of the WPL. The team has secured 12 victories in 33 matches, making them the least successful side in the league’s short history. After reaching the playoffs in the inaugural 2023 season, the franchise experienced group-stage exits in the subsequent three editions.
In 2024, UP Warriorz finished in the fourth spot. They concluded at the bottom of the points table in both the 2025 and 2026 editions. David’s task will be crucial in bolstering the franchise’s scouting network, which has previously been managed by the internal coaching staff, as they aim for improved results in upcoming seasons.
Her appointment is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the franchise’s vision for identifying and nurturing talent from across the country, with the goal of building a strong and sustainable scouting structure for the future.
Source: thehawk.in
