Sanjay Bangar’s Son Anaya Shares Emotional Journey of Gender Transition and Cricket Career Challenges

Former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar’s son, Aryan, now known as Anaya, has made a significant revelation about her journey of gender reassignment. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Anaya shared her emotional and transformative experience over the last eleven months since undergoing sex change surgery and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Anaya, who has been a part of the cricketing world from a young age, played as a left-handed batter for Islam Gymkhana and later represented Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire. Her love for cricket was deeply influenced by her father, Sanjay Bangar, whom she watched with awe as he represented and coached the Indian cricket team. Anaya’s dream was to follow in her father’s footsteps, but her journey took an unexpected turn as she began her transition.

The transition has presented Anaya with significant challenges, particularly in her desire to continue playing cricket professionally. The current regulations by bodies such as the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) prevent trans women who have undergone male puberty from competing in women’s international cricket and top-tier domestic cricket. Anaya expressed her frustration, stating that despite her low testosterone levels, the system feels like it is forcing her out due to outdated rules.

Despite these hurdles, Anaya remains committed to the sport and continues to play cricket at a local level in Manchester. She recently scored 145 runs in a match, demonstrating her enduring passion for the game. Anaya’s journey is a testament to her courage and resilience in embracing her true self in a world that often struggles to accommodate such transitions.

Sanjay Bangar, known for his dedication and spirit in cricket, served as the batting coach of the Indian cricket team from 2014 to 2018 and has also worked with teams like Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).