UP Warriorz have appointed former India spinner and ICC Hall of Famer Neetu David as their new Chief Scout, marking a major change in the franchise’s talent identification setup ahead of the 2027 Women’s Premier League season. David replaces Rajib Dutta and will take charge of the team’s domestic and grassroots scouting network.
The appointment brings significant experience to the UP Warriorz staff as the franchise looks to strengthen its talent pipeline and build a more competitive squad for future seasons.
Neetu David Takes Charge of Scouting
Neetu David UP Warriorz appointment gives the franchise an experienced figure with a strong understanding of women’s cricket. As Chief Scout, David will lead efforts to identify promising domestic players and emerging talent from grassroots cricket.
She will work closely with head coach Abhishek Nayar, mentor Lisa Sthalekar and fielding coach Saurabh Bandekar as part of the franchise’s wider support structure.
The role is particularly important for a team looking to improve its performances after several difficult seasons in the Women’s Premier League.
A Distinguished Playing Career
David brings an impressive playing record to the role. Born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, she represented India in 10 Tests and 97 ODIs and took 182 wickets across international cricket.
One of the biggest highlights of her career came in Test cricket, where she recorded remarkable figures of 8 for 53 in an innings. Those figures remain a world record for the best bowling performance in a women’s Test innings.
Her contribution to the game was recognised in 2024 when she was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.
Experience in India’s Selection System
David also has extensive experience in talent identification and squad building. She became chairperson of the BCCI All India Women’s Selection Committee in 2020, where she played an important role in overseeing India’s women’s talent pipeline.
Her experience in national selection gives her a strong understanding of what is required to identify players capable of performing at the highest level.
That background could prove valuable as UP Warriorz chief scout, particularly with the franchise looking to discover players who can develop into long term stars.
UP Warriorz Look to Rebuild
The appointment comes after a difficult period for UP Warriorz. The franchise reached the playoffs during the inaugural 2023 Women’s Premier League season but finished fourth in 2024.
The team’s fortunes declined further in the following two seasons, with UP Warriorz finishing at the bottom of the table in both 2025 and 2026. They have recorded only 12 wins from 33 matches across their WPL history.
The restructuring of the scouting department is therefore an important step for the franchise.
Building a Stronger Talent Pipeline
Women’s Premier League has quickly become an important platform for developing India’s women’s cricket talent. For franchises, identifying players before they become established stars can provide a major advantage.
David’s experience across international cricket and national selection could help UP Warriorz create a stronger scouting system. Her focus on domestic and grassroots cricket is expected to help the franchise find new players while also strengthening its long-term squad planning.
With David now leading the scouting operation, UP Warriorz will hope the changes can produce better results and help the franchise return to playoff contention in the 2027 season.
