Anaya Bangar Hits Out at BCCI Over Transgender Policy Silence
The daughter of Sanjay Bangar says the board ignored her plea for guidance on transgender participation in women's cricket.
Anaya Bangar, a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder and the daughter of former India player Sanjay Bangar, has spoken about her disappointment with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). After undergoing gender-affirming surgery in 2026, she reached out to the board to understand its policy framework for transgender cricketers. However, her request was met with no response, leaving her hurt by the silence.
"It is very disappointing and heartbreaking that I was served with silence," she told PTI, adding that she knew transitioning might mean distancing herself from cricket. She fears that without clear guidelines, her future in the sport is uncertain. Anaya has been an advocate for transgender athletes and argues that she should be allowed to play women's cricket, a move that would make her a pioneer in India.
Currently, the BCCI does not have a standard policy on transgender representation. Anaya is urging the board to work on inclusive guidelines and has offered to share her own experiences to help shape them. "I would be happy to be a part of the team and provide insights on what would work best for women's sport in the future," she said. She also highlighted the isolation transgender athletes face, noting that the journey can feel very lonely in today's political climate.