Anaya Bangar Sets Sights on Elite Cricket Return with Cricket Australia Pathway

Anaya Bangar, a former Mumbai U-19 cricketer and daughter of former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar, has reached a significant milestone in her bid to return to professional sport. The 25-year-old has received clearance from Cricket Australia (CA) to participate in community-level cricket, marking the beginning of a structured journey toward potentially competing in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).

A Structured Path Forward

While the development is a major step in her career, Bangar is quick to temper expectations regarding her immediate future. She emphasized that the clearance from the Australian governing body is not a shortcut to professional rosters.

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

Bangar, who has transitioned as a transgender woman, noted that her case was processed through a rigorous framework designed by CA to balance competitive integrity, fairness, and inclusion. This process involved a thorough review of her medical history, surgical documentation, and research data from the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport.

The March 2027 Milestone

Bangar’s long-term goal is to achieve eligibility for elite women’s cricket by March 2027. This timeline is dictated by Cricket Australia’s Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy. To qualify for the elite tier, the policy requires a player’s serum testosterone concentration to remain below 10 nmol/L for a minimum of 12 months.

Bangar confirmed that her eligibility will be formally assessed in March 2027, which will include a mandatory blood test to verify she continues to meet the criteria.

“If that March 2027 test confirms that I continue to meet the required testosterone criteria, I will be eligible to pursue selection for elite women’s cricket, including the WBBL pathway,” she explained.

Seeking Clarity and Opportunity

The journey to Australia followed a period of frustration for the cricketer. Bangar revealed that she had previously reached out to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking clarity on policies regarding transgender athletes in domestic cricket, but she received no response.

“After I published my athlete testing report and everything else, the BCCI stayed quiet about it,” Bangar said. “Whereas Cricket Australia actually read my report, went through all my medical history, and had a proper team assessing my case.”

As she begins the process of finding a club to participate in local community matches, Bangar remains focused on the merit-based nature of the sport. She insists that her identity should not be the reason for her selection.

“I don’t expect my history or my identity to earn me a place on a cricket team. I want my cricket to earn me a place on a cricket team,” she concluded.

For more details on this development, you can read the full report on the WBBL dream.