The sport of cricket, often called “everyone’s game,” doesn’t discriminate between its players. Yet, for 23-year-old Anaya Bangar—daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar—her love for the game is tested by rules she never anticipated. Anaya’s journey, while lined with passion and resilience, now faces challenges that echo far beyond the boundary.
Anaya, a left-handed batter, isn’t just another aspiring athlete; she’s a transgender woman who proudly claims her identity and dreams. Born as Aryan, Anaya underwent her transition after male puberty, and today, thanks to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), her testosterone levels match those of an average cisgender woman. However, despite her commitment to living as her authentic self, the sport she loves has shut its doors to her.
Cricket’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC), recently ruled that transgender women who have undergone male puberty can no longer participate in women’s international cricket, regardless of surgery or gender-affirming treatments. The rule has left Anaya heartbroken.
In her own words, Anaya expressed in a social media post, “To make matters worse, the system says that to compete in women’s sports, I should have transitioned before male puberty. But here’s the contradiction: society and the legal system make it illegal to transition as a minor. So, what am I supposed to do? The system is forcing me into an impossible situation.”
For Anaya, cricket has been more than a game; it’s a lifelong pursuit inspired by her father, Sanjay Bangar. She grew up with dreams of donning the Indian jersey and taking her place on the field. “I never thought I’d have to consider giving up the sport that has been my passion, my love, and my escape. But here I am, facing a painful reality… The game I’ve loved for so long is slipping away from me,” she wrote.
Currently based in Manchester, Anaya frequently shares her journey on social media, from videos showcasing her batting skills to a recent transformation video that featured moments with iconic cricketers MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. Her story resonates with many, as it exposes a painful gap in the policies governing sports today.
Transgender inclusion in sports remains a complex issue. Anaya’s story is a reminder that policy has yet to catch up with reality. “What hurts more is that there are no proper regulations for trans women in cricket. It feels like the system is forcing me out, not because I lack the drive or talent, but because the rules haven’t caught up with the reality of who I am…We need policies that don’t make us choose between our identity and our passions. Trans women deserve the right to compete, play, and thrive,” she concluded.
Anaya’s experience reflects that of others, like Canadian cricketer Daniele McGahey, who retired from international cricket shortly after the ICC’s recent policy update. These women, passionate and talented, find themselves navigating an uncertain future in sports.
Anaya Bangar’s journey is not just a personal story of resilience; it’s a call for change. In an age of progress, cricket, like all sports, must recognize the unique journeys of its players and create an environment where everyone, regardless of their identity, can dream of a future on the field.
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