Anaya Bangard, daughter of former distinguished Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangard, has received very good news. Cricket Australia (CA) has granted her permission to participate in local women's cricket.
Previously, Anaya played youth cricket for Mumbai as part of the Indian team while being male. In an interview with Indian Express, she shared that at one point she felt her cricket career was over. However, the news from Australia has restored her hope.
Cricket Australia has allowed Anaya to immediately start playing in 'community cricket' (local and state level). Nevertheless, if she wishes to participate in major and 'elite' tournaments such as the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), she must meet a specific condition.
According to the rules, Anaya must maintain a testosterone level below 10 nmol/L until March 2027. Provided she successfully passes regular tests, she will be able to compete in Australia's largest women's cricket league.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) completely banned the participation of transgender individuals in elite cricket last year. As for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), it currently lacks any policy regarding trans women cricketers.
Anaya shared her opinion on Cricket Australia, noting that she had sent her medical documentation and research data to the BCCI but had not received a response from the board. She stated that the BCCI remained silent on the matter. In contrast, Cricket Australia examined all her medical history, read the reports, and, acting impartially, permitted her to play.
Speaking about her difficult journey, Anaya recounted that transitioning from a boy to a girl was physically and emotionally very painful for her. Her family, friends, and career all changed. Nevertheless, she believes that after these changes, she has become very happy and found peace.
She acknowledged that significant changes have occurred in her body following hormone therapy. Anaya noted that when she was a boy, she had great strength, but now she feels weakness in her heart and bones, and her muscle strength has decreased. She honestly said that she can no longer withstand balls traveling at 140 kilometers per hour.