Anaya Bangar Cleared for Women’s Community Cricket in Australia

Anaya Bangar, the 25-year-old daughter of former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar, has received approval from Cricket Australia to participate in women’s community cricket following her gender-affirming surgery in March 2026.

The clearance allows her to play immediately in women’s community competitions across Australian states, including premier grade cricket. According to Cricket Australia’s guidelines, Bangar submitted details regarding her hormone therapy and surgical history as part of the approval process.

For access to elite levels of the game, including the Women’s Big Bash League, Bangar will be required to maintain testosterone levels below 10 nmol/L for a continuous 12-month period. That timeline could potentially see her become eligible for WBBL selection from March 2027, provided she meets the required medical benchmarks.

Speaking about the development, Bangar described the moment as deeply personal, emphasising that cricket has been central to her identity since childhood. The clearance represents a significant milestone in her journey to return to the sport she grew up playing.

The decision has drawn a range of responses within the cricketing community, with discussions emerging around the broader questions of fairness and inclusion in women’s sport. While some have welcomed Cricket Australia’s approach as progressive and consistent with its stated policies on inclusion, others have raised concerns about competitive balance.

Cricket Australia’s policy framework for transgender participation in community cricket was introduced in September 2023. The governing body has stated that its guidelines aim to balance inclusion with the integrity of the competition, requiring trans women to provide medical evidence of hormone therapy and testosterone levels depending on the level of play.

                                               

Relevant news