Anaya has transitioned from male to female and is currently pursuing a career in women's cricket.
Anaya Bangar's return to competitive cricket now has a timeline attached, with March 2027 being the date in her bid to pursue elite women's cricket in Australia and potentially earn a route into the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).
Anaya is a former Mumbai Under-19 cricketer who has transitioned from male to female and is currently pursuing a career in women's cricket. Her story gained significant media attention due to her unique position as the trans daughter of Sanjay Bangar -- the former Indian cricketer who also served the national team as batting coach.
Anaya has been cleared by Cricket Australia to play community cricket and has been given a pathway to pursue elite women's cricket, subject to its policy requirements.
Addressing the media on Thursday (August 27), Anaya Bangar clarified that CA has provided her with a developmental pathway rather than an automatic contract or guaranteed spot in marquee tournaments like the WBBL.
“I am preparing to return to women’s cricket in Australia with the aim of pursuing elite cricket from March 2027,” the 25-year-old told reporters. “This has not been an automatic or an informal process. Cricket Australia has a framework designed to balance fairness, competitive integrity, and inclusion in women’s sport, and my case has been considered through that framework.”
“Cricket Australia has given me a pathway, which does not mean that I have been given a place in a team. I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity,” she added.
Her eligibility for elite-level domestic competitions depends on meeting Cricket Australia's Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy, which requires serum testosterone levels to remain below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months, verified by a blood test in March 2027.
“My understanding from Cricket Australia's clearance is that my eligibility for elite women's cricket from March 2027 remains subject to the applicable policy requirements, including a blood test assessment at the same time. 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 Women’s Big Bash League pathway,” Anaya said.
Even after meeting the medical criteria, she must secure a spot through standard training, performance, and the WBBL overseas player drafting system.
“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 stated.
Anaya Babar said Cricket Australia examined her blood tests, testosterone levels, surgery documents, and a study from Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute of Sport.
She noted that while CA used a dedicated team to assess her scientific data, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) stayed quiet and did not respond to her requests.
"After I published my athlete testing report and everything else, BCCI stayed quiet about it. Whereas Cricket Australia actually read my report, went through all my medical history and had a proper team assessing my case,” Anaya remarked. “I approached Cricket Australia and they gave me clearance to play in terms of fairness and inclusivity."