Anaya Bangar on Cricket Australia clearance: 'Great day for me'

Anaya Bangar has cleared a significant hurdle on her path back to competitive cricket, as Cricket Australia has confirmed that she'll be eligible to feature in elite women's cricket Down Under starting March 2027.

Bangar, who underwent gender-affirming surgery back in March, received this confirmation under Cricket Australia's Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy.

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The ruling opens a pathway toward the Women's Big Bash League, though she was quick to point out that eligibility alone doesn't guarantee her a spot on any franchise roster.

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Why did Anaya Bangar need Cricket Australia clearance?

As mentioned Bangar underwent gender-affirming surgery and hence needed a clearance for participation.

CA has laid down their own rules for transgender athletes, and any transgender women who remain below the permissible testosterone limit can play top-level domestic cricket in Australia.

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According to Bangar, she had approached the BCCI to check if she could play in women's cricket in India but did not receive a response.

Which matches can Anaya Bangar compete in?

Bangar, who once played U-19 cricket for Mumbai, can only compete in community cricket matches at the moment. However, Cricket Australia's decision has paved a way for her to compete in WBBL (Women's Big Bash League) from next year.

Speaking to Bombay Times, Bangar, daughter of former India all-rounder and batting coach Sanjay Bangar, said: "I am now eligible to play in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia from March 2027 onwards. For me, this is incredibly emotional because there was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever."

Anaya Bangar welcomes breakthrough Cricket Australia verdict

Bangar is overjoyed after the clearance came in and she went on to explain just how central the sport has been to her sense of self throughout her life.

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"It is a great day for me, especially after knowing the fact that I can play cricket. There was a stage when I thought I would never play cricket again, but thanks to Cricket Australia, it has given me another chance," the 25-year-old told The Indian Express.

Despite the excitement, Bangar was careful to frame this as the start of a fresh challenge rather than the finish line. She stressed that Cricket Australia's ruling only opens the door, and actually walking through it into a WBBL squad will require real performance on the field.

"Cricket Australia has allowed me to pursue elite women's cricket in Australia," she was quoted as saying by Bombay Times.

"The next challenge is to get myself into the best possible physical and competitive shape and put myself in a position to be considered by a WBBL franchise. I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity."

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She also explained the practical hurdles ahead, pointing to how the WBBL's overseas-player system actually works.

"The WBBL has an overseas-player contracting and draft system, where clubs select from the pool of available international players, like it happens in the IPL or the WPL," she said.

"So ultimately, 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."

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