Anaya Bangar, the child of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has courageously shared their journey of gender-affirming surgery and the challenges faced in the cricket world.
In a revealing interview with Lallantop on April 17, 2025, Anaya, who now lives in Manchester, UK, exposed the toxic masculinity and harassment they encountered as a transgender athlete, shedding light on systemic issues in cricket.
Anaya, previously known as Aryan, realised their true gender identity at a young age. “When I was eight or nine, I’d wear my mom’s clothes, look in the mirror, and say, ‘I am a girl,’” Anaya recalled. After undergoing hormonal replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery in 2024, Anaya embraced their identity but faced significant hurdles in pursuing cricket, a sport they played at the age-group level alongside stars like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sarfaraz Khan.
As the child of a prominent cricket figure, Anaya maintained secrecy to avoid scrutiny. “The cricket world is filled with insecurity and toxic masculinity,” they said, highlighting the challenges of navigating a male-dominated sport.
Anaya’s transition brought both support and harassment. In the Lallantop interview, they disclosed disturbing experiences, including receiving unsolicited nude photos from fellow cricketers. One individual verbally abused Anaya publicly but later demanded personal photos privately. In another incident, a veteran cricketer in India propositioned Anaya after learning about their transition, suggesting a sexual encounter.
These experiences underscore the toxic culture Anaya faced, which they attribute to entrenched attitudes within cricket. Despite the harassment, Anaya remains resilient and continues to advocate for change.
Anaya’s Cricket Career and ICC’s Transgender Ban
Anaya, a talented left-handed batter, has represented Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai’s club cricket and Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire. However, their aspirations were impacted by the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) November 2023 decision to bar transgender athletes from women’s international cricket. The ICC cited the need to “protect the integrity and safety of the women’s game,” a move that sparked debate.
Anaya expressed disappointment on Instagram, criticising the ICC’s ruling as a setback for inclusivity. Their post resonated with followers, amplifying calls for fairer policies in sports.
Now based in Manchester, Anaya remains active on Instagram, sharing updates and advocating for transgender rights. Their story highlights the need for cultural reform in cricket, a sport often celebrated for its tradition but criticised for resisting change. Speaking out, Anaya challenges stereotypes and pushes for a more inclusive future.
