Exclusive: Anaya Bangar returns to competitive cricket, Cricket Australia confirms eligibility | Hindi Movie News
Anaya Bangar, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in March, is set to return to competitive cricket next year after Cricket Australia confirmed her eligibility to play elite women’s cricket from March 2027.In an exclusive conversation with Bombay Times, Anaya said, “I am now eligible to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia from March 2027 onwards. For me, this is incredibly emotional because there was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever. Cricket has been such a fundamental part of my identity since childhood, and having to step away from the sport after my transition was one of the hardest things I experienced. So this isn’t simply about being included in a women’s league. It represents the possibility of returning to the sport I deeply love.”Anaya, however, clarified that eligibility does not mean she has secured a place in a WBBL team. “Cricket Australia has allowed me to pursue elite women’s cricket in Australia. The next challenge is to get myself into the best possible physical and competitive shape and put myself in a position to be considered by a WBBL franchise. I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity,” she said.
Anaya Bangar returns to cricket
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) follows the International Cricket Council (ICC) policy that does not allow transgender women who have undergone male puberty to compete in international women’s cricket. India’s domestic regulations are also aligned with these standards.Cricket Australia, meanwhile, has a different framework for elite domestic cricket, allowing transgender women who meet its eligibility and testosterone-related criteria to participate.Explaining the pathway ahead, Anaya said, “The WBBL has an overseas-player contracting and draft system, where clubs select from the pool of available international players, like it happens in the IPL or the WPL. So ultimately, I still have to convince a franchise that I can contribute to their team. For me, that means getting back into competitive cricket in Australian leagues, working on my batting, bowling, fielding and fitness, training consistently and demonstrating that I can perform at that level.“Indian stars including Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues have represented Australian franchise teams in the WBBL over the years. The prospect of facing them would be particularly emotional for Anaya.“I grew up watching and playing cricket in India, so facing Indian players in an Australian women’s competition would be a very emotional moment for me.” Anaya said she had spent considerable time hoping for a clearer pathway for transgender women who wanted to continue playing cricket in India. “When you grow up playing cricket competitively, the idea of potentially never being able to play again is incredibly difficult. But I’ve also learned that I can’t build my future around waiting for somebody else to make a decision. I had to focus on what I could control — my health, my transition, my performance, the scientific evidence, and having conversations with sporting organisations. I’m grateful that I have a pathway in Australia, and I hope that my journey can contribute to a broader conversation about how sporting bodies can approach transgender participation with both fairness and inclusion,” she said.For Anaya, the ultimate goal is simple: “I would love to reach a point where I’m simply another cricketer competing against some of the best players in the world.”
Anaya Bangar returns to cricket
Cricket Australia’s eligibility confirmation letter to AnayaConfirming her eligibility under its Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy, Cricket Australia wrote:“Based on the medical information provided and taking into account when you commenced testosterone suppression treatment and your definitive surgery, we confirm that your eligibility determination to commence in March 2027, on the basis set out in Cricket Australia’s Eligibility Determination letter dated 20 July 2026, will not be impacted by the amendments to Cricket Australia’s Policy. In the meantime, as previously advised, you are eligible to participate in Premier Cricket competitions in any State or Territory of Australia.”Author: Renuka.Vyavahare@timesofindia.com
