Cricket has always been a big part of Anaya’s life. Anaya, the child of former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar, recently shared her journey of hormonal transformation on social media. Assigned male at birth and known as Aryan, she started Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in 2023 and has been embracing her identity as a transgender woman.
Currently playing cricket in the UK, Anaya shared a heartfelt video showing her journey. The clip, which includes childhood photos with cricketers like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and her father, highlights her growth as a transgender woman pursuing her passion for cricket. In her latest Instagram post, Anaya talked about how 11 months of HRT have helped reduce her dysphoria and brought her more happiness.
From a young age, Anaya felt a strong connection to cricket. Watching her father play and coach the Indian team inspired her to follow in his footsteps. However, as she began her transition, her journey in cricket became more complicated.
In an August 2023 Instagram post, Anaya discussed how HRT has changed her body and affected her cricket performance. She explained that physical changes like reduced muscle mass have made it harder to compete at the same level. Despite her love for cricket, she faces challenges as a transgender athlete.
Anaya highlighted the lack of clear policies for transgender women in cricket. She shared her frustration, saying, "Even though my testosterone levels are now as low as the average cisgender woman, I’m still not allowed to play professionally as my true self. The system expects trans women to transition before male puberty, but the law doesn’t allow minors to transition. It’s an impossible situation."
She called for policies that allow transgender women to compete without forcing them to choose between their identity and their passion. "We deserve the right to play, compete, and thrive," she added.
Anaya’s story comes as the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have introduced new rules that ban transgender women from elite competitions, making her journey even more challenging.
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