Anaya Bangar cleared by Cricket Australia to play domestic women's cricket in Australia

Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India men's team national coach Sanjay Bangar, has been cleared by Cricket Australia to resume her elite cricket career in Australia, the approval announced on August 26, 2026. Anaya told a news outlet that it was a 'great day' and said there was a stage at which she had thought that she would never play cricket again.

Anaya underwent gender-affirming surgery in Thailand in March 2026 and is a vocal advocate for transgender athletes. She trained and played as a top-order batter and all-rounder in Mumbai's youth divisions alongside Indian Test cricketer Sarfaraz Khan. After that period in Mumbai she moved to the U.K., where she continued to play and train with local cricket clubs.

Bangar frequently documents her life on Instagram and posts tips about skin care, fashion, beauty, sports and life. She has posted an Instagram reel recounting her experience appearing before a medical board following the passage of the Transgender Amendment Act 2026, which mandated specific rules for being identified as a transgender person in India. Those social-media posts have formed part of her public advocacy on transgender issues in sport.

Cricket Australia has cleared Bangar to play women's community and Premier Cricket across all States and territories with immediate effect. That clearance falls under Cricket Australia's Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players with Elite Cricket Policy. The policy requires strict, continuous monitoring thresholds regarding her serum testosterone levels.

The International Cricket Council in 2023 enforced a policy banning any transgender players who have gone through male puberty from competing in women's fixtures. Australia, in contrast, allows players to participate in domestic competitions after passing strict testing to determine testosterone levels. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not established clear rules or regulations governing transgender players, till the date of publication.

Under Cricket Australia's policy, Bangar is eligible to target elite franchise selection like the Women's Big Bash Leage (WBBL) from March 2027. Any move toward elite franchise selection will be subject to the continuous serum testosterone monitoring required by Cricket Australia.