Anaya Bangar, the previous Mumbai Underneath-19 cricketer, who underwent a gender affirming surgical procedure in March this yr, has acquired the clearance to play feminine Group Cricket in Australia.
“It’s a nice day for me particularly after figuring out the truth that I can play cricket. There was a stage the place I believed I might by no means play cricket once more however because of Cricket Australia, it has given me one other likelihood,” Anaya informed The Indian Categorical.
Anaya’s father Sanjay Bangar is a former India all-rounder and was additionally the batting coach of the lads’s crew. Anaya performed age-group cricket for Mumbai alongside Take a look at-capped Sarfaraz Khan and his brother Musheer Khan.
Nevertheless, to play ‘Elite cricket’ just like the Girls’s Huge Bash League, Anaya should fulfil testosterone-related eligibility standards.
‘Transgender and Gender Numerous Gamers in Elite Cricket Coverage’ of Cricket Australia requires a participant’s serum testosterone to be beneath 10 nmol/L (nanomoles per litre) for a interval of a minimum of 12 months to be eligible to play cricket. The Worldwide Cricket Council in 2023 banned transgender gamers from the elite ladies’s recreation if they’ve gone by means of male puberty.
In a letter despatched to Anaya accessed by The Indian Categorical, Cricket Australia’s, Head of Integrity Jacqui Partridge acknowledged, “Your eligibility for Elite Cricket from that date (March 2027) is conditional upon you offering a blood check upon your arrival in Australia confirming that your serum testosterone focus stays beneath 10 nmol/L and that you simply proceed to fulfill the Coverage’s eligibility necessities.”
Anaya, who wrote to Cricket Australia in June, can begin enjoying group cricket instantly, Cricket Australia stated.
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“Till March 2027, you stay eligible to take part in Premier Cricket competitions in any State or Territory of Australia. As Premier Cricket is assessed as Group Cricket moderately than Elite Cricket underneath the Coverage, your participation in these competitions shouldn’t be affected by this dedication,” Partridge acknowledged.
A prime BCCI official informed this paper that it has no coverage on transwoman enjoying feminine cricket.
“In the case of ICC, they’ve stated no to it. BCCI is but to determine what might be performed in such instances. As that is the primary time board had give you such a case of trans girl, the board is but to formally take a stand on it. Particularly on permitting them in home cricket,” the BCCI official stated.
Anaya stated she wrote to the BCCI final yr to verify about eligibility standards to play however has not acquired a reply but.
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In June 2025, Anaya had posted on Instagram asking for a gathering with BCCI and ICC representatives to debate a coverage for trans athletes to play cricket based mostly on information and never ‘outdated perceptions’. Within the submit, Anaya stated she had participated in a analysis challenge carried out by the Manchester Metropolitan College Institute of Sport, which coated how hormone remedy affected her energy, stamina, hormone and glucose ranges.
Anaya is the daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar. (Categorical Photograph By Ganesh Shirsekar)
“After I revealed my athlete testing report and all the things else, the BCCI stayed quiet about it. Whereas Cricket Australia, they really learn my report, went by means of all my medical historical past and had a correct crew assessing my case. I approached Cricket Australia after which they gave me clearance to play by way of equity and inclusivity. They (CA) requested for my blood check report, testosterone check report. They requested for the papers for the surgical procedures that I’ve performed. They requested me for my Manchester College report which I had revealed over a yr in the past. If all the things goes effectively and I carry out then I’ve an opportunity to play within the WBBL,” Anaya stated.
Anaya continues to be recovering from the gender affirming surgical procedure, however stated she was within the technique of discovering a membership in Australia to play for.
“I genuinely couldn’t consider that I’ll be capable of play ever once more. Due to Cricket Australia and its progressive and inclusive insurance policies, which deal with equity and inclusion in ladies’s sport for trans ladies, this can be a enormous milestone, not only for me, however for different athletes like me who wish to strive, however aren’t as a result of they need to both select the game or select transition,” Anaya stated.
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In 2022, after years of confusion about her id, Anaya spoke to counselors who guided her about transitioning from a person to a lady at peace with herself. She moved to the UK, performed membership cricket and explored hormone substitute remedy.
“Truthfully, the journey because the starting was very painful, not simply bodily, however emotionally. My entire life modified, household dynamics, friendships, profession, social focus, all the things modified. And to be trustworthy, I might do that once more as a result of transitioning has made me snug and happier in my very own pores and skin. I wouldn’t commerce again for the rest. I might have had to surrender cricket as effectively. And now with Cricket Australia doing this, I’m simply very joyful,” Anaya stated.
Final yr in an interview to The Indian Categorical Anaya had spoken about modifications submit hormone remedy.
“I might really feel my vitality ranges being secure on a regular basis as a person and I used to be positively a lot stronger. Now, my coronary heart feels weaker, my bones are weaker, and muscle energy has gone down. And that’s tough for an athlete. The draw back of it’s even when I wished to, I simply can’t face 140 kph of bowling.”
