Neetu David, the former India spinner, has been appointed as the head of scouting for UP Warriorz ahead of the next Women’s Premier League season. She will take over the role from Rajib Dutta and become part of the support staff led by Abhishek Nayar. Nayar took over as the franchise’s head coach last season. David, 48, previously played for Railways and will now be responsible for scouting talent. Her appointment comes as UP Warriorz prepare for the next WPL season.
David is regarded as one of India’s finest spinners and had a 13-year international career from 1995 to 2008. During that period, she played 10 Tests and 97 One-Day Internationals for India. She picked up 182 international wickets across both formats during her career. David also holds the record for the best bowling figures in an innings in Women’s Tests. She achieved the record against the West Indies in the 1995 Test in Jamshedpur, finishing with figures of 8/53.
David continued to work in Indian women’s cricket after her playing career and previously served as the chairperson of the selection panel for the Indian women’s national team. In her new role with UP Warriorz, she will be expected to scout emerging players from the developing domestic women’s cricket ecosystem. The franchise will look to her experience as she takes up this responsibility. Her new position will focus on identifying emerging talent in domestic women’s cricket and adding players who can strengthen the squad.
UP Warriorz have had the least success among the franchises during the four-year history of the Women’s Premier League. They have won only 12 of their 33 games, with one match ending in a tie. The franchise reached the playoffs in the maiden season of the competition. However, their campaign ended in the group stages in each of the next three seasons. UP Warriorz finished fourth in 2024 before ending the following two seasons at the bottom of the table.
The franchise’s recent results have therefore made the search for emerging players an important part of its preparations for the upcoming season. David will take over the scouting position from Rajib Dutta and join the support staff led by Abhishek Nayar. Her previous experience as an India player and as chairperson of the national selection panel will be part of her work with UP Warriorz. She will focus on the domestic women’s cricket ecosystem in her new role with the franchise as the team prepares for another WPL campaign.
David’s appointment comes as UP Warriorz prepare for the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League. Her best bowling figures of 8/53 against the West Indies in Jamshedpur in 1995 remain the best figures in an innings in Women’s Tests. Having previously worked as chairperson of the Indian women’s national selection panel, David will now scout emerging domestic talent for UP Warriorz. UP Warriorz have won 12 of 33 games, including one tie, and have failed to reach the playoffs in the last three seasons after making them in the maiden season.
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