Cricket Australia has cleared Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, to resume playing women’s cricket in Australia at the community level. The 25-year-old can participate in Premier Cricket immediately and could pursue elite women’s cricket, including a potential Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) pathway, from March 2027 if she continues to meet Cricket Australia's eligibility requirements.
Anaya previously played age-group cricket in Mumbai and approached Cricket Australia after seeking clarity from the BCCI. She underwent gender-affirming surgery in March 2026 and subsequently submitted medical and sporting information for an eligibility review.
Cricket Australia’s Eligibility Conditions
Cricket Australia’s policy requires a player seeking to compete in the female category of elite cricket to demonstrate that their serum testosterone has remained below 10 nmol/L continuously for at least 12 months. Anaya's eligibility for elite cricket from March 2027 remains conditional on meeting that requirement and providing a confirming blood test.
Her immediate clearance is for community and Premier Cricket, which Cricket Australia classifies separately from elite cricket. Therefore, the current decision does not mean she has already secured a place in the WBBL or another elite team.
Anaya herself has emphasised this distinction, saying the decision gives her a pathway rather than a guaranteed team selection. She will still need to train, compete and perform to earn an opportunity at the elite level.
Anaya Bangar Calls It a Second Chance
Reacting to the decision, Anaya described it as an important moment after several years away from competitive cricket. She said there had been a point when she believed she might never play cricket again.
She also said Cricket Australia's review considered her medical and surgical history, hormone and testosterone levels, cricket background, training footage and scientific and athletic-performance research.
Her stated goal is now to return to competitive cricket, rebuild her form and fitness, and potentially pursue the WBBL from March 2027.
Marizanne Kapp Criticises the Decision
The decision has also triggered debate about transgender participation and competitive fairness in women's sport.
South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp publicly criticised Cricket Australia's decision, describing it as “absolutely ridiculous” and saying it should not be allowed.
The controversy reflects a wider international debate over how sporting organisations should balance inclusion, eligibility, competitive integrity and fairness in women's sport.
Cricket Australia's domestic policy differs from the International Cricket Council's rules. The ICC announced in 2023 that transgender women who had undergone male puberty would not be eligible for international women's cricket at the elite level.
For Anaya, however, the Cricket Australia decision provides a potential route back to the sport she has played since childhood. Her next challenge will be returning to competitive cricket and proving herself on the field before she can pursue an elite opportunity.
