Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Anaya Bangar Cleared for Australian Community Cricket, Elite Future Conditional
Anaya Bangar is a transgender cricketer who wants to keep playing women’s cricket.
Cricket Australia has said she can play women’s Community Cricket in Australia immediately.
This includes Premier Cricket competitions in any state or territory until March 2027.
She is still recovering from gender-affirming surgery and is looking for a club.
Playing in elite competitions, such as the Women’s Big Bash League, has extra rules.
Her testosterone must stay below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months.
She must also provide another blood test after arriving in Australia.
The International Cricket Council does not allow transgender players who experienced male puberty to play elite women’s international cricket.
India’s cricket board has not yet made a policy for transgender women in domestic cricket.
Cricket Australia cleared transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar to play women’s Community Cricket immediately.
Bangar is recovering from gender-affirming surgery and seeking an Australian club.
She can play Premier Cricket in any Australian state or territory until March 2027.
Elite Cricket eligibility requires serum testosterone below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months, with further testing.
The International Cricket Council bars players who experienced male puberty from elite women’s international cricket, while the BCCI has no finalized policy.
- Who
- Anaya Bangar, Cricket Australia, the International Cricket Council, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
- What
- Cricket Australia cleared Bangar for women’s Community Cricket while making Elite Cricket eligibility conditional on testing and other policy requirements.
- When
- Community Cricket participation is immediate; Premier Cricket eligibility runs until March 2027, when further Elite Cricket testing is required.
- Where
- Australia, including Premier Cricket competitions in any state or territory.
- Why
- Cricket Australia reviewed Bangar’s medical records, blood and testosterone tests, surgery documents, and research report under its eligibility policy.
Inclusion and continued participation
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
Community cricket access
Inclusion and continued participation
Bangar described the clearance as a major opportunity to return to cricket after fearing she might never play again. She said Cricket Australia’s approach could help other athletes like her.
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
Cricket Australia distinguishes Community Cricket from Elite Cricket, allowing immediate participation while retaining additional conditions for elite competitions.
Elite women’s cricket
Inclusion and continued participation
Bangar has advocated for transgender-athlete policies based on athlete data rather than what she called outdated perceptions, citing her hormone-therapy testing and research report.
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
The International Cricket Council excludes transgender players who experienced male puberty from elite women’s international cricket, while Cricket Australia requires testosterone testing and continued compliance with its policy for Elite Cricket.
Indian cricket eligibility
Inclusion and continued participation
Bangar said she contacted the Board of Control for Cricket in India for clarity about eligibility but had not received a response.
Eligibility rules and competitive safeguards
The Board of Control for Cricket in India says it has not formally decided whether transgender women may play domestic cricket.
- Player
- Anaya Bangar is a 25-year-old former Mumbai Under-19 cricketer and the daughter of former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar.
- Current clearance
- She can immediately play women’s Community Cricket in Australia.
- Premier Cricket
- She is eligible for Premier Cricket competitions in any Australian state or territory until March 2027 because they are classified as Community Cricket.
- Elite Cricket threshold
- Cricket Australia requires serum testosterone to remain below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months.
- Additional test
- From March 2027, Bangar must provide a blood test after arriving in Australia confirming that her testosterone remains below 10 nmol/L.
- Potential competition
- Bangar could seek eligibility for the Women’s Big Bash League if she meets the requirements and performs well.
- International and Indian policies
- The International Cricket Council barred transgender players who experienced male puberty from elite women’s international cricket in 2023; the Board of Control for Cricket in India has not finalized a policy.
Sources
‘Great day’ says trans athlete Anaya Bangar after Cricket Australia okays participation
Anaya Bangar Gets Clearance For Community Cricket In Australia After Gender Affirming Surgery
Anaya Bangar returns to cricket after gender-affirming surgery, but not in India; ‘Thought I would never play again’
