Anaya Bangar, formerly known as Aryan Bangar and the child of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, is now in the spotlight after revealing her journey as a transgender woman. The transition, made possible through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in 2023, marks a new chapter in Anaya’s life. Before transitioning, Aryan was actively engaged in cricket, building a foundation in the sport with hopes of pursuing it professionally.

However, her journey toward playing professional cricket faces major restrictions. Both the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have introduced regulations that prevent transgender individuals from participating in women’s cricket. These policies create significant challenges for Anaya’s future in the sport.

In a now-deleted video, Anaya shared photos of herself from before her transition, featuring moments with prominent cricket figures, and wrote, “Chasing my dream of playing cricket professionally has been a journey filled with sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering dedication. From early mornings on the field to facing the doubts and judgments of others, every step has demanded strength.” 

Changes through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

In a recent Instagram video, Anaya detailed the physical changes she has experienced over 11 months of HRT. She mentioned that her muscle mass has decreased and that her body structure has shifted noticeably. Despite these changes, Anaya stated that she felt content with the outcome, adding that the therapy has helped reduce her dysphoria. Dysphoria is described as a condition where an individual feels profound discomfort or unease with their physical appearance, often creating a disconnect between one’s body and identity.

On October 27, Anaya also responded to a report from October 20, when the ECB formally announced its decision to ban transgender women from competing in professional women’s cricket. Expressing her reaction, she posted, “It sucks being a trans athlete.”

Anaya’s Disconnection from Cricket

In August 2024, Anaya Bangar, nine months into her journey with Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), spoke openly about her feelings of loss over her connection to cricket—a sport she once believed would define her future. Cricket had been more than a passion for Anaya; it was a legacy inherited from her father, Sanjay Bangar, and a lifelong ambition. However, as her physical abilities shifted with HRT, the reality of continuing in the sport began to diminish.

In her post, she reflected on her commitment to cricket, sharing, “From a young age, cricket has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I watched my dad with awe as he represented and coached the country, and it wasn’t long before I started dreaming of following in his footsteps. The passion, the discipline, and the dedication he showed to the sport were deeply inspiring to me.” Despite her dedication, Anaya’s decision to transition has led to undeniable physical changes, which directly impact her athletic capabilities. “Cricket became my love, my ambition, and my future. I’ve spent my entire life honing my skills, hoping that one day, I would get the chance to represent my country, just like him. I never thought I’d have to consider giving up the sport that has been my passion, my love, and my escape,” she expressed. The shift in her physical condition has resulted in a noticeable loss of muscle mass, strength, and endurance—qualities essential for competitive cricket. “But here I am, facing a painful reality. As a trans woman on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), my body has changed drastically. I’ve been losing the muscle mass, strength, muscle memory, and athletic abilities I once relied on. The game I’ve loved for so long is slipping away from me.”

Anaya voiced her frustration about cricket’s lack of provisions for transgender women, adding, “It feels like the system is forcing me out, not because I lack the drive or talent, but because the rules haven’t caught up with the reality of who I am.” While her testosterone levels, which she claims are “down to 0.5 nmol, the lowest it can be for an average cisgender woman,” have decreased significantly, cricket’s regulations stand firm. These rules ensure that competitive integrity is maintained, regardless of individual circumstances, by setting clear and strict standards that don’t shift based on personal situations.

Her concerns also addressed the rule requiring transgender athletes to transition before male puberty if they wish to compete in women’s sports, a standard intended to protect fairness in competition. Anaya criticized this requirement, stating, “To make matters worse, the system says that to compete in women’s sports, I should have transitioned before male puberty. But here’s the contradiction: society and the legal system make it illegal to transition as a minor.” However, the guideline is part of a broader effort to maintain a level playing field in women’s sports and to uphold the principles that govern fair competition.

Anaya ended her statement by calling for policy changes, claiming that, “Trans women deserve the right to compete, play, and thrive.” Yet, cricket’s governing bodies have chosen to prioritize the integrity of women’s competitions, aiming to preserve a fair environment for all players. As sports organizations maintain these standards, Anaya’s situation highlights the strict boundaries set by cricket authorities to uphold the core values of the sport.

ICC Regulations on Trans Participation

While Anaya Bangar’s journey led her through gender reassignment surgery and Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), the regulations set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding trans participation in women’s cricket remain explicit. Previously, the ICC permitted trans women to compete in women’s cricket, a policy that allowed players like 29-year-old Danielle McGahey to participate in international matches as the first transgender cricketer in early 2023. However, her inclusion in women’s cricket sparked widespread criticism, prompting the ICC to take a closer look at its gender eligibility policies.

Following nine months of consultations with ICC members and stakeholders, the ICC Board announced a revised set of gender eligibility regulations on November 21, 2023. This decision was described in a media release as based on four primary principles: safeguarding the integrity of women’s cricket, ensuring safety, upholding fairness, and supporting inclusivity. Under this new regulation, “any male-to-female participants who have undergone any form of male puberty will not be eligible to participate in international women’s cricket, regardless of any surgery or gender reassignment treatment they may have undertaken.” This policy highlights a firm boundary that aligns with the ICC’s stance on maintaining fair and balanced competition within women’s sports.

The ICC Medical Advisory Committee, chaired by Dr. Peter Harcourt, led the review process of these regulations, focusing exclusively on eligibility standards for international women’s cricket. The ICC emphasized that while international standards have been established, “gender eligibility at the domestic level is a matter for each individual Member Board and may be influenced by local legislation.”

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice commented on the updated policy, saying, “The changes to the gender eligibility regulations resulted from an extensive consultation process and are founded in science and aligned with the core principles developed during the review. Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.”

The ICC’s policy reflects its commitment to balancing inclusivity with fairness and will be up for review again in 2026. This interval gives the organization time to assess the policy’s impact on women’s cricket, ensuring that it continues to align with the principles of fair play and competitive equity.

ECB’s Domestic Regulation Changes

In line with the ICC’s policy that grants each cricket board autonomy over domestic regulations, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has recently taken steps to address transgender participation within its women’s cricket structure. Anaya Bangar, who currently resides in the United Kingdom, had previously been able to play under the ECB's regulations. However, in October 2024, the ECB introduced a new policy that prevents transgender women from competing in the top two tiers of the women’s domestic structure, including the women’s Hundred competition.

In its official press release, the ECB explained the basis for this decision, noting that it had thoroughly examined “relevant science and medical evidence” and took into account “fairness, safety, and inclusion.” This move reflects the ECB’s commitment to upholding competitive balance in women’s cricket, a stance that aligns with the broader trend among sports organizations to set strict guidelines on gender eligibility for women’s competitions.

While the top two tiers are now off-limits for transgender women, the ECB has made accommodations within the lower levels of the game. Beginning in 2025, trans women will be permitted to compete in tier three of the new domestic system, providing an option for those still wishing to engage in cricket at a structured level. In addition, transgender women will have access to recreational cricket, allowing them to participate in more casual settings where the competitive intensity is lower.

Other Sports Regulations

The ECB’s recent decision reflects similar actions taken by other sports organizations aiming to ensure fair competition in women’s categories. World Athletics, the global authority for track and field, implemented a ban in March 2023 on transgender women competing in the female category at international events. This ruling came after numerous cases surfaced of male-born athletes entering women’s events, stating they identified as women.