Former Indian male cricketer turned women’s athlete, Anaya Bangar, has gained attention after urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) to open the women’s game for transgender players.
The daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, who transitioned in 2024, is currently making a public voice for the rights of transgender players in women’s professional sport.
Scientific Support for Her Plea
In a recent video posted on her Instagram page, the 23-year-old cricketer justified that her athletic and medical abilities were comprehensively tested after her Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). The tests were done at Manchester University in the UK, where she is now based.
She elaborated:
“The university conducted a complete test — muscle strength, immune system, glucose tolerance, and oxygen carrying capacity. These were contrasted with information from elite-level female athletes.”
The scientific report concluded that Anaya’s body has the same capabilities as cisgender women athletes, Anaya stated.
“Science Has Validated My Right to Compete”
Anaya continued:
“Science has confirmed my eligibility to compete in women’s cricket—now it’s up to the world to accept this reality.”
She also volunteered to formally submit this report to both the BCCI and ICC, insisting her primary objective is not to seek personal spotlight, but to put an end to fear and prejudice against transgender athletes in women’s sports.
ICC Prohibits Transgender Athletes from Competing in Women’s Cricket
In spite of her appeal, transgender women are currently barred from playing international women’s cricket under existing ICC rules. The rule was made following the 2023 Cricket World Cup, at an ICC board meeting, when the eligibility parameters were redefined.
The ICC explained then that the new policy was intended to ensure “fairness” in cricket, a move that has since raised heated arguments worldwide.
Anaya Bangar completed her gender transition, including hormone therapy and confirmation surgery, in the previous year. Since then, she has been living in the United Kingdom, continuing her cricketing journey and advocacy work.
She remains determined to return to the sport she loves — this time as a woman — and to open the doors for future transgender cricketers who want to compete at the highest level.
Looking Ahead
Anaya’s message is straightforward: it is time for the cricketing world to adopt science-based inclusion. Whether or not the BCCI or ICC will rethink their position is anybody’s guess, but her public statement has definitely rekindled the debate on gender identity and equity in sport.
