New Delhi: Anaya Bangar, daughter of former Indian cricketer and former batting coach of Team India Sanjay Bangar, has opened the way to return to competitive cricket. Cricket Australia has allowed Anaya to play women’s community cricket, provided she fulfills the necessary eligibility criteria, she may be eligible for elite women’s cricket in Australia from March 2027. This has also opened the way for her to potentially get a place in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Anaya, who has played age-group cricket in Mumbai, has described this decision as a very emotional moment for her. After the gender transition, he once felt that he might not be able to play competitive cricket again, but after a process by Cricket Australia, his hopes of a comeback have been revived.
Anaya can now play community cricket
According to Cricket Australia’s decision, Anaya can currently play community category competitions like Premier Cricket in any state or territory of Australia. However, in order to participate in ‘elite cricket’ competitions like the WBBL, he will have to meet the criteria of Cricket Australia’s Transgender and Gender Diverse Players Policy.
The policy requires a player’s serum testosterone level to be below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months for elite women’s cricket. Cricket Australia has told Anaya that his eligibility for elite cricket from March 2027 will be dependent on the completion of required blood tests and other policy conditions upon arrival in Australia.
Eligibility to play in the WBBL does not guarantee a contract
The decision is an important first step towards the WBBL for Anaya, but he has not received a direct WBBL contract. The Women’s Big Bash League has a draft and contract system for foreign players. Franchisees select from available players as per their requirement.
Anaya has also made it clear that he now has to work on his fitness, batting, bowling and fielding to prove himself at a competitive level again. Only then can a WBBL franchise be convinced to include him in their squad.
‘At one point it was felt that cricket was lost’
Anaya Bangar said that getting the chance to play cricket again is very important for her. Cricket has been an important part of his life since childhood and it was a difficult time for him to be away from the game after the transition.
His first goal now is to return to community and premier cricket in Australia to play regular matches, improve his fitness and attract the attention of WBBL franchises through his performances.
The rules of international cricket are different
Cricket Australia’s domestic competition has opened up for Anaya, but ICC rules are different for international women’s cricket. In 2023, the ICC disqualified transgender female players from international women’s cricket who have undergone male puberty. A BCCI official said that the Cricket Board of India does not have a separate transgender policy on the issue.
Hence, the most realistic path for Anaya now would be to prove himself in Australian domestic cricket and get a chance in the WBBL after March 2027 by completing the necessary eligibility conditions.