Anaya Bangar Cleared for Elite Women’s Cricket in Australia, Sets Sights on WBBL
NEW DELHI: In a landmark development for sports inclusivity, Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar, has been cleared by Cricket Australia to compete in elite women’s cricket. The milestone, which marks a significant turning point in her life, grants her eligibility to play in Australian domestic leagues, with her sights firmly set on eventually securing a spot in the prestigious Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Following gender-affirming surgery in March, Bangar’s eligibility was confirmed under Cricket Australia’s Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy. This decision serves as a beacon of hope for Bangar, who admits she once feared her transition would permanently end her competitive career.
A Return to the Game She Loves
“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,” Bangar told the Bombay Times in an exclusive interview.
For Bangar, cricket is not merely a hobby; it is a fundamental pillar of her identity. Having to step away from the sport during her transition was a deeply challenging period, making this recent approval a victory for her personal and professional journey.
Earning Her Spot
While the policy decision provides a pathway, Bangar is realistic about the road ahead. Eligibility is not a guarantee of a contract; she must still prove her mettle on the field. She will be required to demonstrate her fitness and skill to catch the eye of talent scouts and franchise managers.
“The WBBL has an overseas-player contracting and draft system, where clubs select from the pool of available international players,” Bangar explained. “Ultimately, I still have to convince a franchise that I can contribute to their team. That means getting back into competitive cricket in Australian leagues, working on my batting, bowling, fielding, and fitness.”
Shaping the Future of Inclusion
Bangar’s transition and subsequent clearance to play in Australia arrive as global sporting bodies continue to navigate the complexities of transgender participation. While she expressed a wish for more definitive pathways in India, she chose to focus her energy on the variables within her control: her health, her scientific documentation, and constructive dialogue with sporting organizations.
Cricket Australia has confirmed that its ruling is robust and that she is currently eligible to participate in Premier Cricket competitions across any Australian state or territory.
As she prepares for the journey toward 2027, Bangar remains grounded in her ultimate ambition. “I would love to reach a point where I’m simply another cricketer competing against some of the best players in the world,” she said. Her journey not only signals a personal triumph but is expected to contribute to the broader, evolving conversation regarding how professional sports balance the principles of fairness and inclusion.
