Neetu David, the newly appointed chief scout of Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise UP Warriorz (UPW), has revealed a scouting philosophy that goes far beyond statistics — one rooted in reading a cricketer's body language and walking style long before the first ball is bowled. In an exclusive interview on Wednesday, 26 August, the ICC Hall of Famer and former India chief selector outlined how she identifies talent for the 2027 WPL season.

The Philosophy: Walking Style as a Window to the Player

David, a former India left-arm spinner who spent five years as chief selector and signed off her tenure by picking the 2025 ODI World Cup-winning squad, says she arrives at grounds well before match time — specifically to observe players in the outfield. 'I tend to understand a player based on how their walking style is — whether it is very agile or slow or very mentally tough. Seeing that helps me gain the initial understanding,' she said.

She also tracks body language before and after matches as a gauge of mental temperament. 'I also see her body language before and after the match. It shows you a lot of things, and this is my personal view,' David added. For her, this intuitive read complements conventional data rather than replacing it.

Players She Has Helped Unearth

David credits this approach with helping several players break into the national setup since the WPL's launch in 2023. She cited Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani as examples of players who appeared raw on arrival but showed the qualities she looks for. 'When Kranti Gaud came, she didn't know anything. But today she is a star,' she said, adding that Charani's bowling action signalled something distinctive even when her match readiness was in question.

How She Joined UP Warriorz

David's entry into the UPW setup came after an initial hesitation. Having just completed an assignment with the Bihar team, she asked for two days before committing. It was advice from a trusted senior — 'Aap immediately haan bol do as ek toh yeh aapki apni franchise hai' ('You immediately say yes to it as first of all, it is your franchise') — that convinced her to accept the call from Kshemal Waingankar, COO of UP Warriorz.

Franchise Scouting vs National Selection: A Learning Curve

David acknowledges that scouting for a franchise differs meaningfully from national selection. 'In the domestic circuit, you do know how your players are because you have been watching them since the U-15s. Here, the role is a little different because you have to follow international cricket, and all the leagues, tournaments, or whatever is going on right now in India and overseas,' she said. She credits the UPW support staff for helping her navigate the transition, which she describes as both challenging and engaging.

Despite the differences, she sees structural similarities: both roles demand granular attention to performance data across age groups and tournaments, and both require projecting whether a player can handle elite-level pressure. UPW, which has yet to win the WPL title and finished bottom of the table in the last two seasons, faces a particular challenge in identifying players with the mental resilience for high-stakes franchise cricket.

Camp, Combination, and the Road to 2027

An off-season camp was recently held in Bengaluru under head coach Abhishek Nayar and mentor Lisa Sthalekar, focused on assessing player combinations ahead of the auction cycle. David indicated that another camp is under consideration, with final squad discussions to follow. 'Our endeavour is that we are looking for good players for the future. We have seen a lot of options, keeping in mind the auctions,' she said.

On the broader health of Indian women's cricket, David is optimistic. She noted that bench strength has grown considerably since the WPL's inception in 2023, with more players now capable of stepping in for injured regulars across every position. With the 2027 WPL season still months away, UP Warriorz are building their foundation — one stride at a time.