Former Indian left-arm spinner Neetu David on Wednesday was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame along with England's Alastair Cook and South African AB de Villiers. Kanpur-native Neetu David, current selection chair of India's women's team, represented Railways in the domestic circuit before establishing herself as a mainstay in the India Women's cricket team setup for over a decade.
In 2023, Diana Edulji was inducted into the list by the international cricket governing body. Here are five things that Indian cricket team fans should know about the 47-year-old David, who represented the national team in three World Cups:
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1. Neetu David is the second-highest wicket-taker for India in women's ODI cricket with 147 wickets after Jhulan Goswami. She holds the distinction of becoming the first Indian woman to claim 100 ODI wickets.
2. Neetu David is best remembered for holding the record for the best bowling figure in women's Tests. Her career best of 8/53 against England in Jamshedpur in 1995 remains unbroken to this day.
3. In 1995, she made her international debut in the longest format at age 17 against New Zealand in Nelson. Her record-shattering performance came the same year, ICC data showed. Despite her effort, India ended up conceding a two-run defeat to the Three Lions.
4. She was the leading wicket-taker in the 2005 edition of the Women's World Cup held in South Africa. In the tournament that witnessed India being defeated by Australia in the summit clash, Neetu David took 20 wickets for the runner-ups, the most by any bowler.
5. Although Neetu David announced her international retirement in 2006, she made a U-turn in 2008 to represent India W in ODIs yet again. She played in the Asia Cup and away England series after this comeback before hanging up her boots for the final time.
Neetu David enters ICC Hall Of Fame
Confirming her Hall Of Fame induction, ICC said on its website, "David has been partly responsible for the growth of current India stars like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh as they have established themselves at the international level, while continuing to look for ways off the field to boost the performance of the national side."