Mumbai, August 27: Anaya Bangar has received approval to play cricket in Australia. The announcement came after Cricket Australia granted her official permission to participate in women’s community and elite competitions. This marks her return to competitive cricket, and she has also discussed the potential of playing in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in the future.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Anaya expressed her excitement, stating, “This is a special day for me. After being away from competitive cricket for many years, I can finally talk about my return to a sport that is a significant part of my life. I am preparing to return to women’s cricket in Australia with the aim of playing elite cricket by March 2027. This was not an informal process; Cricket Australia has established a policy to balance fairness, integrity, and inclusion in women’s sports, and my case was considered within that framework.”
She elaborated, “Cricket Australia reviewed various aspects of my circumstances, including my medical and surgical history, hormone and testosterone levels, my cricketing background, and footage of my gameplay, along with scientific and athletic performance testing conducted with the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport. I appreciate the thoroughness of this process, as it was essential to assess it through an established sporting framework rather than just public opinion.”
Anaya, the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has embraced her identity as a woman through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and gender-affirming surgery. She noted, “I have undergone gender-affirming surgery. My previous primary source of testosterone is no longer present. A recent blood test in July showed my total testosterone level at 0.6 nmol/L, which falls within the reference range for women as defined by the laboratory. According to the information I received from Cricket Australia, my eligibility for elite women’s cricket from March 2027 will depend on the conditions of the applicable policy, including a blood test assessment at that time. If the March 2027 test confirms that I meet the necessary testosterone criteria, I will be eligible for selection in elite women’s cricket, including the pathway to the Women’s Big Bash League.”
She clarified, “I want to make it clear that eligibility does not mean selection. Cricket Australia has shown me a pathway, but that does not guarantee me a spot on the team. I still need to train, compete, perform well, and earn that opportunity, and that is exactly what I want.”
Anaya Bangar believes that questions will arise regarding Cricket Australia’s decision in the future. She stated, “I do not expect to be placed on the cricket team because of my history or identity. I want to earn my place based on my cricketing abilities. I understand that the level of women’s cricket is very high, and I know there will be scrutiny, questions, and differing opinions. I respect the valid concerns regarding fairness and competitive integrity in women’s sports. I believe that inclusion and fairness should not be viewed as opposing principles. A good sports policy should have the capacity to consider both aspects. That is why I respect the process that Cricket Australia adopted when considering my case. I started playing cricket because I love the game. I competed because I wanted to improve, and when I transitioned, I faced the toughest circumstances, fearing there might be no place for me in cricket anymore. I spent years finding a way back, and today I finally have a path to try.”
Recently, transgender organizations have urged the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to establish rules for transgender players. Regarding this matter, Anaya said, “I have tried to speak publicly to the BCCI and engage with people, but nothing has worked; I only received silence. Therefore, it was Cricket Australia that showed me the way, and I am glad I can do this.”
On her favorite cricketers, Anaya shared, “Initially, Virat Kohli was my favorite cricketer, but now I really enjoy watching Abhishek Sharma play.”
Discussing the possibility of playing in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), Anaya expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “When I play in the WBBL, I will be very excited to play alongside some great Indian players like Harmanpreet, Jemimah, Smriti, and Ellyse Perry. If that happens, it will be a significant achievement for me.”
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