A big and interesting news related to the family of former Indian team player and coach Sanjay Bangar has come to light. The doors have opened for former Mumbai Under-19 cricketer and trans woman Anaya Bangar to return to women's cricket. Anaya, who underwent Gender-Affirming Surgery in March, has been given official approval by Cricket Australia to play women's community cricket in Australia. However, they still have to fulfill certain terms and conditions to play in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) or other elite level competitions.
"I thought I would never be able to play cricket again"
After getting the green signal from Cricket Australia, Anaya Bangar expressed her happiness and called it a very special day of her life. She shared in a conversation with a reputed media organization that after the surgery, there came a time when she felt that she might never be able to play cricket on the field again. Anaya told that he had contacted Cricket Australia in June this year, after which on July 20, he was informed about getting permission to play community cricket. Expressing his gratitude to Cricket Australia, he said that this decision has given him another golden opportunity to advance his game. Eligibility to play community cricket till March 2027 According to the letter sent to Anaya by Cricket Australia's Head of Integrity Jackie Partridge, she can participate in premier cricket competitions (community cricket) in any state or territory of Australia till March 2027. Since Premier Cricket is not considered in the category of elite cricket but community cricket under this policy, Anaya can currently play there without any hindrance. However, to play at a higher level like elite cricket after March 2027, he will have to follow the rules related to testosterone levels. According to Cricket Australia rules, a player's serum testosterone level must be less than 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months, to confirm which he will also have to undergo a blood test upon arrival in Australia. What are the rules of ICC and BCCI? The International Cricket Council (ICC) had clarified its policy regarding the participation of transgender players in elite women's cricket in the year 2023. Under this, players who have experienced male puberty are not eligible to participate in elite women's international cricket. On the other hand, in India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet come out with any clear policy or rule regarding trans women playing in women's cricket. BCCI officials say that at present no official decision has been taken on this subject, due to which this matter is being discussed continuously in the country and abroad.