Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has returned to the cricketing spotlight after receiving approval to play women’s community cricket in Australia. The decision has also opened a conditional pathway towards elite domestic competitions, subject to Cricket Australia’s eligibility requirements.
The 25-year-old transgender cricketer has spoken about her desire to return to the sport she loves after her gender transition forced her to reconsider her cricketing future. She has also appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to establish clear eligibility rules for transgender athletes in Indian domestic cricket.
Her case has raised important questions about transgender participation, sporting eligibility, inclusion and fairness in women’s cricket.
Who Is Anaya Bangar?
Anaya Bangar is an Indian cricketer who previously played age-group cricket for Mumbai. Before transitioning, she competed in Mumbai’s junior cricket system and played alongside several cricketers who later progressed to higher levels.
She is the daughter of Sanjay Bangar, who represented India in international cricket and later worked as the Indian men’s team batting coach.
Anaya has described cricket as an important part of her life. However, her gender transition and the eligibility rules governing women’s cricket created uncertainty about whether she could continue playing competitively.
She subsequently approached cricket authorities to seek clarity on her eligibility and explore a route back into the game.
Why Did Anaya Bangar Transition?
Anaya has said that her gender transition was a personal decision connected to her gender identity and her desire to feel comfortable with herself.
In interviews, she explained that she experienced years of uncertainty before beginning her transition in 2022. She sought guidance from counsellors before starting the process and later underwent gender-affirming surgery in March 2026.
Anaya has described the journey as physically and emotionally challenging. She has also spoken about the changes it brought to her family relationships, friendships and cricketing ambitions.
Speaking about her experience, she explained that transitioning had helped her feel happier and more comfortable in her own skin.
Her transition was not a decision made by a cricket board. It was a personal process concerning her identity. The separate question of whether she can compete in a particular sporting category is governed by the eligibility rules of the relevant cricket authority.
Why Did Cricket Australia Approve Anaya Bangar?
Cricket Australia assessed Anaya’s case under its transgender and gender-diverse player eligibility policy.
According to reports, Anaya contacted Cricket Australia in June 2026 and supplied medical documentation, blood-test information and a report concerning the effects of hormone therapy on her athletic performance.
Cricket Australia subsequently informed her that she could participate in community-level cricket, including Premier Cricket competitions, under the terms of its decision.
Her pathway to elite domestic cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), is conditional. Cricket Australia’s policy requires eligible players to maintain serum testosterone below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months. Anaya must also meet the applicable requirements when her elite eligibility is assessed.
The decision therefore gives her an opportunity to resume competitive cricket in Australia, but it does not guarantee a WBBL contract or selection.
Anaya welcomed the decision and said it gave her hope of returning to a sport she had feared she might never play again.
Why Has the BCCI Not Approved Her to Play in India?
Anaya previously approached the BCCI seeking clarification about eligibility for transgender women in Indian women’s cricket. She has said the board did not respond to her request.
However, the available reporting indicates that the BCCI has not yet established a specific domestic policy for transgender women’s participation in women’s cricket. A BCCI official told The Indian Express that the board was yet to decide how such cases should be handled.
This means it would be inaccurate to describe the situation simply as a formal rejection of Anaya. The reported position is that the BCCI has not provided a clear policy decision on her individual case.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), meanwhile, adopted a rule in 2023 excluding transgender women who have undergone male puberty from elite international women’s cricket.
That international rule is an important part of the regulatory background, but it does not mean Cricket Australia and the BCCI must automatically make identical decisions about every domestic competition. Domestic and international eligibility are separate matters, governed by the relevant rules.
Anaya has urged the BCCI to examine her case and consider developing a transparent policy for future athletes.
Why Are the Rules Different in Australia and India?
The main difference is the approach taken by the governing bodies and the policies they apply.
Cricket Australia has a framework that allows individual eligibility assessments for transgender and gender-diverse players in elite domestic cricket. Its decision also distinguishes community-level cricket from elite competitions.
The BCCI has not announced a comparable, specific domestic policy for transgender women, according to the reporting available on Anaya’s case. The ICC’s separate rule restricts participation in elite international women’s cricket for transgender women who have undergone male puberty.
These distinctions matter because permission to play at community level does not automatically establish eligibility for elite domestic or international competition.
The debate involves several considerations, including inclusion, competitive fairness, player welfare, scientific evidence and the need for clear, consistently applied rules.
Can Anaya Bangar Play in the Women’s Big Bash League?
Anaya has a potential pathway towards the WBBL, but her participation is not guaranteed.
Under Cricket Australia’s decision, she can play community-level cricket, while eligibility for elite domestic cricket from March 2027 depends on meeting the relevant medical and policy requirements.
She will also need to find a club, return to competitive form and perform well enough to attract selection.
The WBBL is therefore a future possibility rather than a confirmed destination.
What Happens Next?
Anaya’s next steps involve pursuing cricket in Australia and working towards the conditions required for elite domestic eligibility. She has also expressed hope that the BCCI will respond to her appeal and provide clarity for transgender cricketers in India.
Her case highlights the importance of having clearly defined sporting policies so athletes understand the requirements before making decisions about their careers.
For now, Cricket Australia has provided Anaya with a route back into community cricket and a conditional opportunity to pursue the elite domestic game. Her eligibility in India remains unresolved, while international participation is subject to the ICC’s rules.
