Neetu David appointed UP Warriorz chief scout in WPL

Former India Women chief selector and legendary spinner Neetu David has been appointed chief scout of UP Warriorz (UPW) ahead of the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. She replaces former Bengal allrounder Rajib Dutta and will work alongside head coach Abhishek Nayar.

David brings extensive experience in Indian women’s cricket to the role. During her playing career, the left-arm spinner represented India in 10 Tests and 97 ODIs between 1995 and 2008, taking 182 wickets across formats.

“Having spent so many years playing and working within Indian women's cricket, I have seen the tremendous amount of talent that exists across the country,” David said in a statement released by the franchise.

“For me, scouting is not only about identifying performances, but also recognising potential and understanding what a player can become with the right opportunities and environment. I look forward to working with UP Warriorz to identify exciting young cricketers and contribute towards building a strong talent pipeline for the franchise.”

David served as the chairperson of India’s women’s selection committee from September 2020 until September 2025. The committee under her leadership selected the India squad that went on to win the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup.

She also holds the record for the best bowling figures in an innings in women’s Test cricket. In 2024, David became only the second Indian woman to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.

UP Warriorz reached the playoffs in the inaugural WPL season in 2023 but have struggled in subsequent editions, finishing at the bottom of the points table in both 2025 and 2026.

With David now taking charge of scouting, the franchise will look to strengthen its talent pipeline and identify emerging Indian players who can contribute to the team in future WPL campaigns.