Neetu David appointed UP Warriorz scouting head ahead of WPL 2027
Synopsis
UP Warriorz have turned to cricketing legend Neetu David — 182 international wickets, a Test best of 8 for 53, and a stint as India women's chief selector — to fix a talent pipeline that has delivered just 12 wins in 33 WPL matches and back-to-back last-place finishes. It is one of the most credentialed scouting appointments in franchise women's cricket.
Key Takeaways
Neetu David appointed Head of Scouting for UP Warriorz ahead of the 2027 WPL season , announced on 19 August .
David previously served as chairperson of the India women's selection committee and was part of the World Cup-winning selection panel.
UP Warriorz have won just 12 of 33 WPL matches and finished last in both 2025 and 2026 .
The support staff also includes head coach Abhishek Nayar , fielding coach Saurabh Bandekar , and mentor Lisa Sthalekar .
David took 182 international wickets in a career spanning 10 Tests and 97 ODIs between 1995 and 2008 .
Former India spinner and Women's ODI World Cup-winning selector Neetu David has been appointed as the Head of Scouting for UP Warriorz (UPW) ahead of the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) season, the franchise confirmed on Wednesday, 19 August. The move signals a structural overhaul in the franchise's talent identification approach following back-to-back disappointing campaigns.
The New Role and Support Staff
David had already joined the UPW support staff — led by head coach Abhishek Nayar — during last week's off-season camp for domestic players at the Sai Krishnan Grounds in Bengaluru. The support unit also includes fielding coach Saurabh Bandekar and mentor Lisa Sthalekar. In her scouting role, David will be primarily responsible for identifying and nurturing emerging domestic talent capable of strengthening a franchise that has struggled to find its footing.
What the Franchise Said
'Thrilled to have the selector of India's World Cup-winning squad as our Head of Scouting. Welcome to UP Warriorz, Neetu David!' the franchise posted on X on Wednesday. The appointment reflects the team's intent to leverage David's deep administrative experience and on-ground knowledge of women's cricket at the grassroots level.
UP Warriorz's Difficult WPL Record
UP Warriorz are the least successful side in the WPL's short history, having secured just 12 victories in 33 matches across four editions. After reaching the playoffs in the inaugural 2023 season, the franchise suffered group-stage exits in the next three editions — finishing fourth in 2024 before ending at the bottom of the points table in both 2025 and 2026. The appointment of a figure of David's stature in scouting is a clear acknowledgement that the squad-building process needs a reset.
Neetu David's Cricketing Legacy
Widely regarded as one of India's finest slow left-arm orthodox spinners, David represented India across a 13-year international career from 1995 to 2008, playing 10 Tests and 97 ODIs and capturing 182 international wickets across both formats. She is particularly remembered for a remarkable 8 for 53 in a women's Test against the West Indies at Jamshedpur in 1995 — one of the finest bowling performances in Indian women's Test history. She subsequently served as chairperson of the India women's selection committee, where she was part of the panel that selected the World Cup-winning squad.
What This Means for WPL 2027
With the 2027 WPL season on the horizon, UP Warriorz are clearly betting on a talent pipeline overhaul rather than a short-term roster fix. David's combination of playing pedigree and selector experience makes her an unusual and potentially high-impact appointment at the scouting level — a role that has gained prominence across franchise cricket as teams look beyond established names to find the next generation of match-winners.
Point of View
They are a structural problem. What is notable is that David brings both playing credibility and selector-level institutional knowledge, a rare combination. The real question is whether a scouting overhaul alone can fix what may also be a coaching and retention problem. In a league where Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals have built dominant squads through systematic drafting, UPW's late pivot to professional scouting could be too little, too late — or exactly the right foundation for a longer rebuild.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Neetu David and why has she been appointed by UP Warriorz?
Neetu David is a former India slow left-arm spinner who played 10 Tests and 97 ODIs between 1995 and 2008, taking 182 international wickets. She has been appointed Head of Scouting for UP Warriorz ahead of the 2027 WPL season to overhaul the franchise's talent identification process after consecutive poor campaigns.
What is UP Warriorz's record in the Women's Premier League?
UP Warriorz are the least successful side in WPL history, winning just 12 of 33 matches across four editions. They reached the playoffs only in the inaugural 2023 season and finished at the bottom of the points table in both 2025 and 2026.
What role did Neetu David play in Indian women's cricket administration?
Neetu David served as chairperson of the India women's selection committee and was part of the panel that selected India's Women's ODI World Cup-winning squad. That administrative experience is a key reason UP Warriorz have brought her in to lead scouting.
Who else is part of the UP Warriorz support staff for WPL 2027?
The UP Warriorz support staff includes head coach Abhishek Nayar, fielding coach Saurabh Bandekar, and mentor Lisa Sthalekar, with Neetu David now added as Head of Scouting.
What is Neetu David's most notable on-field achievement?
Neetu David is best remembered for taking 8 for 53 in a women's Test match against the West Indies at Jamshedpur in 1995, one of the finest bowling performances in Indian women's Test history. She finished her career with 182 international wickets across Tests and ODIs.
