Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar, has received a significant eligibility confirmation from Cricket Australia that could reopen her pathway to competitive cricket. Eligible to play elite women’s cricket in Australia from March 2027, Anaya can now pursue her ambition of earning a place in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), following her gender-affirming surgery in March.
The development comes just days before the sixth edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, which the UAE will host for the first time from 28 August to 13 September. While the continental tournament will bring together Asia’s leading women cricketers, Anaya’s story highlights a different but equally important conversation surrounding access, identity and the future of women’s cricket.
Speaking exclusively to Bombay Times, Anaya described Cricket Australia’s decision as “incredibly emotional”. The transgender inclusion framework allows her to participate in elite women’s cricket after meeting the relevant eligibility and testosterone-related criteria. “I am now eligible to play in the Women’s Big Bash League 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,” she said.
Cricket, Anaya explained, has been central to her identity since childhood. Having to step away from the sport after her transition was therefore not merely a professional setback, but a deeply personal loss. “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,” she said. “This isn’t simply about being included in a women’s league. It represents the possibility of returning to the sport I deeply love.”
However, Anaya was careful to distinguish eligibility from selection. Cricket Australia’s confirmation gives her the right to pursue elite cricket in the country, but it does not guarantee a WBBL contract. She will still have to rebuild her competitive credentials and convince a franchise that she can contribute on the field.
“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,” she said. “I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity.” The WBBL’s overseas-player contracting and draft system makes the challenge even more demanding. Anaya plans to return through Australian league cricket while improving her overall fitness.
Cricket Australia has also confirmed that she is eligible to play Premier Cricket in any Australian state or territory. Her proposed start in March 2027 will remain unaffected by amendments to the policy. Although she had hoped for a clearer pathway in India, Anaya said she had learned to focus on what she could control: her health, transition, preparation, performance and dialogue with sporting organisations.
Ultimately, her aspiration 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.”
(Quotes sources from Times of India)
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