Cricket Australia has given Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian all-rounder and batting instructor Sanjay Bangar, permission to participate in women’s cricket matches at the community level right now. According to Cricket Australia’s Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy, the clearance allows her to participate in Premier Cricket tournaments in all Australian states and territories.
Anaya Bangar got gender-affirming surgery in March 2026 after starting her transition in 2022. Before abandoning competitive cricket, she played for Mumbai at the Under-19 level.
Her ability to play elite cricket starting in March 2027 is still contingent upon fulfilling certain requirements, such as a blood test to verify that her serum testosterone level stays below 10 nmol/L.
Although clearance by itself does not ensure selection to any side, the pathway makes it possible to compete in the Women’s Big Bash League. Anaya Bangar pursued the Australian route after contacting the BCCI to enquire about playing women’s cricket in India but not hearing back.
She thought back on her experience and the need of getting official permission to resume the sport she had abandoned during her transition. Bangar underlined that the clearance is not an informal arrangement but rather an official determination. While acknowledging the accomplishment, she continued to concentrate on the performance-based standards in the Australian cricket system that were ahead of her.
The official clearance and immediate route for Cricket Australia
The decision has more meaning for Anaya Bangar than just her own comeback to cricket.
For other transgender athletes who want to continue participating in sports, she thinks Cricket Australia’s pathway might be a significant opportunity.
A potential that Anaya had previously thought was unattainable has been reopened by the clearance. Her attention now is to successfully returning to competitive cricket, meeting the necessary eligibility requirements, and using her on-field performance to get back into contention.
Performance-based hiring and compensation
Anaya Bangar emphasised that getting a pathway does not guarantee opportunities or squad selection. Rather than depending on her identity or history, she is still dedicated to obtaining her position via competitive merit and performance.
