Cricket Australia approve transgender athlete Anaya Bangar to play elite level women’s cricket

The Women’s Big Bash League could see its first transgender athlete in 2027, with Indian cricketer Anaya Bangar given clearance to play at the elite level in Australia.

Bangar revealed on social media on Friday Cricket Australia had given her clearance to compete at the elite level from March next year pursuant to the organisation’s Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy.

The decision means she is available to play in WBBL 13 should a franchise pick her up.

Bangar, who is the daughter of Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar, played U19s cricket for Mumbai but has been campaigning for her rights to play professionally as a woman.

In a statement on Instagram account that hold more than 1 million followers, Bangar said: “The comeback is real.

“After years of uncertainty, Cricket Australia has confirmed my eligibility to participate in elite cricket from March 2027, subject to ongoing policy requirements.

“Following the recent policy amendments, CA has also confirmed that my eligibility determination will not be impacted by those amendments.

“Until then, I’m eligible to play Premier Cricket and WBBL eventually in Australia. Now it’s time to earn my place. See you on the field.”

Any transgender athlete who remains below the permissible testosterone limit can compete in top-level women’s cricket in Australia.

In an interview with the Bombay Times, she said she had feared cricket had been lost to her and that she had also put a request into India’s Board of Control to attempt to play in her home country.

“For me, this is incredibly emotional because there was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever,” Bangar said.

“I still have to convince a franchise that I can contribute to their team. For me, that means getting back into competitive cricket in Australian leagues, working on my batting, bowling, fielding and fitness, training consistently and demonstrating that I can perform at that level.”