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

Anaya Bangar, a 25-year-old transgender cricketer and daughter of former Indian player Sanjay Bangar, has received clearance from Cricket Australia to return to competitive cricket. Under the governing body’s inclusion policy, Bangar is permitted to participate in women’s community and Premier Cricket competitions across Australia immediately.

Her pathway to elite-level cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), is contingent upon meeting specific eligibility criteria. To qualify for elite competition starting in March 2027, she must demonstrate through blood tests that her serum testosterone concentration remains below 10 nmol/L for a continuous period of at least 12 months.

Bangar, who previously played age-group cricket for Mumbai, underwent gender-affirming surgery in March 2026. She noted that the clearance was the result of a structured review of her medical and surgical history rather than an informal arrangement. While the decision provides a route back to the sport, it does not guarantee selection for any professional team, as she must still prove her performance and fitness on the field.