Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Anaya Bangar Responds to Kapp’s Criticism Over WBBL Pathway
Anaya Bangar is a transgender cricketer from India who wants to play women’s cricket in Australia.
Cricket Australia has said she can start playing community cricket.
She may later be considered for elite competitions such as the Women’s Big Bash League.
To qualify for elite cricket, she must follow Cricket Australia’s testosterone rules.
Bangar says she has shared information showing that she has no unfair advantage and is following the guidelines.
South African cricketer Marizanne Kapp strongly disagreed with the decision.
Kapp called it “absolutely ridiculous” and said it should not be allowed.
Bangar told critics to learn more about transgender athletes before objecting.
She has not joined a local club yet and plans to take her return one step at a time.
Anaya Bangar urged Marizanne Kapp and other critics to educate themselves about transgender participation in women’s cricket.
Kapp called Cricket Australia’s decision to provide Bangar a pathway into women’s cricket “absolutely ridiculous” and said it should not be allowed.
Cricket Australia cleared Bangar to play women’s community cricket immediately, while elite eligibility remains subject to its policy.
The policy requires serum testosterone to remain below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months before elite women’s cricket eligibility.
Bangar has not yet joined a local club and hopes to progress from community cricket toward a possible Women’s Big Bash League opportunity; reports differ over the timing.
- Who
- Indian transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar, South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp and Cricket Australia are central to the dispute.
- What
- Bangar defended Cricket Australia’s decision to give her a pathway through women’s cricket, while Kapp criticized it.
- When
- Bangar began her transition in 2022, underwent gender-affirming surgery in March this year and received community-cricket clearance on July 20. Reports differ over whether she hopes to pursue the WBBL next March or after March 2027.
- Where
- The pathway concerns women’s cricket in Australia, including community cricket and the Women’s Big Bash League.
- Why
- Bangar says she has no unfair advantage and is complying with Cricket Australia’s guidelines; Kapp opposes the proposed pathway.
Bangar’s Position
Kapp and Other Critics
Pathway into women’s cricket
Bangar’s Position
Bangar supports Cricket Australia’s decision and says she is complying with its guidelines while taking a gradual route through club and community cricket.
Kapp and Other Critics
Kapp called the decision to provide Bangar a pathway into women’s cricket “absolutely ridiculous” and said it should not be allowed.
Fairness and eligibility
Bangar’s Position
Bangar says she has provided information indicating that she has no unfair advantage and must meet Cricket Australia’s testosterone requirements for elite cricket.
Kapp and Other Critics
Kapp and other critics oppose Bangar’s possible participation in elite women’s cricket; the articles do not provide further details of their reasoning.
Public debate
Bangar’s Position
Bangar urged people criticizing her participation to educate themselves about transgender athletes and the relevant guidelines.
Kapp and Other Critics
Critics have publicly challenged Cricket Australia’s clearance and Bangar’s possible entry into the Women’s Big Bash League.
- Athlete
- Anaya Bangar, a 25-year-old Indian transgender cricketer
- Critic
- Marizanne Kapp, a veteran South African all-rounder
- Governing body
- Cricket Australia
- Community eligibility
- Bangar has been cleared to play women’s community cricket immediately in any Australian state or territory.
- Elite-cricket rule
- Serum testosterone must remain below 10 nanomoles per litre for at least 12 months.
- Current club status
- Bangar has not yet signed for a local club team.
- Timing discrepancy
- One report says Bangar hopes to play in the WBBL next March, while others say elite eligibility could begin after March 2027.
