UP Warriorz scouting head Neetu David has backed Australia captain Sophie Molineux — the franchise's costliest buy at the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction — to be a decisive match-winner, saying the Kochi auction on Wednesday went largely according to plan for the side. UPW emerged as the busiest franchise at the event, signing eight players in total.

A Smooth Auction for UP Warriorz

'We got the players we had planned for very easily, and we still had some money in our pockets,' David said in a video posted by the tournament on its social media accounts on Thursday. 'It was a good experience as we got the players we wanted. We did not have to fight a lot for the players we had planned for. I hope that we will do well in the WPL,' she added.

Why UPW Targeted Molineux

Molineux, who currently captains the Australian side, was acquired for ₹1.10 crore — the highest amount UPW spent on a single player at the auction. David acknowledged that competition for the left-arm spinner and middle-order batter was always going to be fierce. 'Everyone knows that she is a very good player. She is leading Australia at the current time. Everyone was going to go for her. But we had money in our pocket, so we took her. I hope that she will be a trump card for our team,' David said.

Faith in Sneh Rana and Team Balance

Alongside the marquee overseas signing, David also expressed confidence in India all-rounder Sneh Rana, who was signed for ₹30 lakh. 'Sneh Rana is an all-rounder. She is playing cricket very well. She will give us a lot of benefits,' David said. She described the squad's blend of seasoned internationals and emerging talent as a 'good combination' for the franchise going into the season.

Neetu David's New Role — A Homecoming

This was David's first WPL auction as a member of a franchise's support staff, having previously served as a national selector for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The former India left-arm spinner — who hails from Uttar Pradesh — said the experience carried a personal significance. 'I am very happy that the UP Warriorz chose me because I am also from Uttar Pradesh and they approached me. I am so happy that I have got my home team,' she said.

David noted that the core responsibilities of scouting talent are broadly similar to her earlier national selector duties, with one key addition — her new role requires tracking overseas cricket circuits as well. 'The only difference is that the name has changed, so nothing else (has changed). I am getting to follow cricket not only in India but also overseas cricket and it is a new experience for me,' she concluded. The WPL 2027 season is expected to further test whether UPW's auction strategy translates into on-field results.