Cricket has been a lifelong companion for Anaya, the daughter of former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar. Recently, Anaya drew attention after openly sharing her journey with hormonal transformation on social media. Originally named Aryan at birth and assigned male, Anaya began Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in 2023 and has been wholeheartedly embracing her new identity as a transgender woman.
Sanjay Bangar’s Son ‘Aryan’ Undergoes Sex Change Surgery
Former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar's child, Aryan, recently shared an Instagram reel documenting a significant transformation journey, though it was later removed. The 23-year-old, who has undergone Hormone Replacement Therapy, used social media to reveal progress over the past 10 months.
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Now known as Anaya, the transformation has gained widespread attention online. Currently based in Manchester, Anaya included pictures in the reel with former India captain MS Dhoni and star batter Virat Kohli. Like her father, Anaya is also dedicated to cricket, having represented Islam Gymkhana in local club matches, as well as playing for Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire as a left-handed batter, as per India Today.
Anaya Bangar Speaks On ICC’s New Rule For Transgender
In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that transgender athletes would be barred from participating in women’s cricket. According to ESPN, the ICC clarified that any athlete who has transitioned from male to female and experienced any stage of male puberty would be ineligible to compete in women’s international cricket, regardless of any surgeries or gender reassignment treatments they may have undergone.
Recently, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) echoed this stance, ruling that transgender women will be prohibited from elite-level women’s domestic cricket starting in 2025.
"Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women's game and the safety of players," wrote ICC CEO Geoff Allardice in a statement.
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Expressing her disappointment over this policy, Anaya shared an emotional post on Instagram, voicing her concerns about the ruling's unfairness. “I never thought I’d have to consider giving up the sport that has been my passion, my love, and my escape. But here I am, facing a painful reality… The game I’ve loved for so long is slipping away from me," she wrote.
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What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
According to the National Institutes of Health, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), also called Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy (GAHT), is a medical treatment that assists transgender individuals in aligning their physical characteristics with their gender identity. For transgender women, hormone therapy aims to create a more feminine appearance by altering fat distribution, promoting breast development, and reducing male-pattern hair growth.
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The inclusion of transgender athletes in sports remains a highly debated topic, often sparking intense discussion. However, it’s essential to highlight the challenging realities that transgender individuals face, with numerous obstacles that make their journey especially difficult.
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Credits: Anaya Bangar Instagram
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