After her path back to cricket opened up, Anaya Bangard shared her most cherished desire. The daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar now aims for goals that go far beyond simply stepping onto the field. Anaya's dream, which transformed from a boy into a female cricketer, is to one day win the Women's World Cup for India and bring major trophies to the country.
Cricket Australia (CA) granted Anaya Bangard permission to play in the Premier Cricket in Australia. However, her right to return to elite cricket starting in March 2027 will depend on the terms of the relevant policy. Although this approval does not guarantee a spot on any team, Anaya views it as an important step in resuming her cricket career.
In an interview with India Today, Anaya Bangard also expressed hope to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regarding the development of policies for women's cricket that are not only inclusive but also fair and respectful. She stated: 'I hope the BCCI will consider this and create policies that are inclusive, fair, and respectful towards women's sport. I want to win the World Cup for India. I want to win something for the country, and that is my dream.'
Thus, Anaya Bangard's interests are not limited to securing spots in clubs or the WBBL (Women's Big Bash League). She sees her future with the Indian national team and in winning major titles for the country.
Anaya Bangard recounted that the path to this point was extremely difficult. She had to face not only public criticism but also a lack of support even within her family. She admitted that she received some help, but throughout this period, she did not feel fully supported by her family. This difficult period created many problems for her both personally and away from cricket.
Speaking about the hardest phase of her struggle, she mentioned that in the UK, she spent about five months in the dressing room at one point, trying just to cope with herself and move forward. Later, she utilized social media, which allowed her to secure endorsement deals and raise financial aid for some medical procedures.
Recalling her experience, Anaya Bangard noted that this journey was very tough, but solitude helped her understand herself better and become stronger. She added that after all this experience, she gained more self-confidence than before. Now, having overcome difficult circumstances, she wants to focus on the next goal.
Anaya Bangard perceives the approval from Cricket Australia not as the end of her journey, but as the beginning of something new. Her next step is playing club cricket in Australia to regain her physical fitness and rhythm. After that, she plans to try to get into the Women's Big Bash League based on her performance.