‘Incredibly emotional’: Anaya Bangar gets CA nod for women’s cricket, eyes WBBL

Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar, has received Cricket Australia’s nod to return to elite women’s cricket in the country from March 2027. The news, confirmed under Cricket Australia’s Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy, marks an emotional moment for Bangar, who feared her cricket career had ended following her gender-affirming surgery in March.

Cricket has been a central part of Bangar’s identity since childhood; her transition posed one of the hardest challenges she faced. Despite Cricket Australia’s eligibility confirmation, securing a spot in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) will still require hard work and dedication. The WBBL has an overseas-player contracting and draft system, meaning Bangar must convince a franchise of her value by demonstrating her skills in Australian leagues and maintaining peak physical and competitive shape.

Bangar expressed her gratitude for having a pathway in Australia, emphasizing the importance of focusing on what she can control, such as her health, transition, and performance. Cricket Australia’s policy change does not affect her planned start date, and she remains eligible to participate in Premier Cricket competitions across Australian states and territories. Ultimately, Bangar aspires to become just another cricketer competing against the world's best.