Former India captain Diana Edulji warmly welcomed Neetu David into the ICC Hall of Fame, and described the fellow left-arm spinner as the perfect addition to the prestigious group. Edulji, who became the first Indian woman to be inducted last November, expressed her joy in an open letter addressed to David, released by the ICC. Former England captain Alastair Cook, former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers and India women’s cricket great Neetu David were inducted into the International Cricket Council (ICC) Hall of Fame on Wednesday, October 16. Cook became inductee No. 113, David 114 and De Villiers 115 in the long list of cricket legends in the Hall of Fame.
“It is an honour and a privilege to welcome you into the exclusive club that is the ICC Hall of Fame. Until now, I have been the only Indian woman inducted, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of being the first to join me,” Edulji wrote.
Recalling her early memories of David, Edulji said, “It seems only yesterday that I saw you bowling in the nets as a teenager. I knew then that I had to try and bring you to Railways and that you would go on to play for India. Your bowling style and rhythm, even then, was incredible to watch and greatly impressed me. It told me you were set for big things, and you proved me right.”
Neetu David’s illustrious career
David, now 47, is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 141 wickets. She also became the first Indian woman to reach 100 ODI wickets, cementing her legacy as one of the country’s finest bowlers.
Edulji noted that David was destined to follow in her footsteps: “I knew then, too, that you would replace me both for Railways and India as our leading spinner. That we were both left-arm spinners meant our time playing together on the pitch was limited, but it was a true pleasure to watch you take on my mantle after I retired.”
Praising David’s skill, Edulji added, “To me, you were one of the best spinners I have ever seen. Your technique and skill that allowed you to generate such flight and dip was par excellence.”
She concluded the letter by reflecting on their shared legacy. “Off the pitch, you have been a firm friend throughout the years, and I am delighted to welcome you into the ICC Hall of Fame. There are few higher honours in our sport, and to be the only two Indian women currently inducted is a special bond between the two of us. I know the number of Indian women in the Hall of Fame will only increase, but many will have achieved what they did because of you.”
