I thought I'd never play again, says Anaya Bangar

Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India all-rounder and former batting coach Sanjay Bangar, has received clearance from Cricket Australia to play community-level women's cricket matches immediately. The clearance permits her to feature in Premier Cricket competitions across Australian states and territories under Cricket Australia's Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy. Bangar began her transition in 2022 and underwent gender-affirming surgery in March 2026. She previously represented Mumbai at Under-19 level before stepping away from competitive cricket.

Her eligibility for elite cricket from March 2027 remains subject to meeting required criteria, including a blood test to confirm serum testosterone concentration remains below 10 nmol/L. The pathway opens the possibility of competing in the Women's Big Bash League, though clearance alone does not guarantee selection to any team. Bangar had approached the BCCI to explore opportunities to play women's cricket in India but did not receive a response, prompting her to pursue the Australian pathway.

She reflected on her journey and the significance of receiving formal clearance to return to the sport she had left behind during her transition. Bangar emphasised that the clearance represents a structured decision rather than an informal arrangement. She acknowledged the milestone while remaining focused on the performance-based requirements ahead of her in the Australian cricket system.

"There was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever. This has not been an automatic or an informal process. Cricket Australia has a framework designed to balance fairness, competitive integrity, and inclusion in women's sport, and my case has been considered through that framework." Bangar said to media as quoted by India Today.

Cricket Australia's formal clearance and immediate pathway

For Anaya, the significance of the decision extends beyond her own return to cricket. She believes the pathway established by Cricket Australia could also provide an important opportunity for other transgender athletes who aspire to continue competing in sport.

The clearance has reopened a possibility that Anaya once feared was no longer within reach. Her focus now turns to making a successful return to competitive cricket, fulfilling the applicable eligibility requirements and working her way back into contention through her performances on the field.

"This is a huge milestone, not just for me, but for other athletes like me," Bangar said.

Performance-based selection and earning opportunity

Bangar stressed that receiving a pathway does not automatically translate into team selection or guaranteed opportunities. She remains committed to earning her place through performance and competitive merit rather than relying on her background or identity.

"Cricket Australia has given me a pathway, which does not mean that I have been given a place in a team. I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity," Bangar said.