AnayaBangar Targets 2027 Return to Elite Cricket

New Delhi, August 28, 2026 Anaya Bangar is looking to restart her competitive cricket career in Australia, with March 2027 emerging as an important milestone in her pursuit of elite women’s cricket. Cricket Australia has cleared the former Mumbai U-19 cricketer to participate in community cricket and provided her with a pathway to aim for the elite level. However, the opportunity does not guarantee her a place in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) or any other elite team. “I am preparing to return to women’s cricket in Australia with the aim of pursuing elite cricket from March 2027,” the 25-year-old said. “This has not been an automatic or an informal process. Cricket Australia has a framework designed to balance fairness, competitive integrity, and inclusion in women’s sport, and my case has been considered through that framework.” Bangar, daughter of former India cricketer and ex-India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, said she understands that the pathway only gives her a chance to compete for a place. “Cricket Australia has given me a pathway, which does not mean that I have been given a place in a team. I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity,” she said. For now, Bangar plans to find a club in Australia and begin playing community cricket as she works her way back into the competitive game. Her eligibility to pursue elite women’s cricket, including a possible WBBL pathway, will depend on Cricket Australia’s Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy. Under the policy, a player must maintain a serum testosterone concentration below 10 nmol/L for at least 12 months. Her eligibility is expected to be assessed in March 2027, including through a required blood test. “My understanding from Cricket Australia's clearance is that my eligibility for elite women's cricket from March 2027 remains subject to the applicable policy requirements, including a blood test assessment at the same time. If that March 2027 test confirms that I continue to meet the required testosterone criteria, I will be eligible to pursue selection for elite women’s cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League pathway,” Bangar said. Bangar had earlier approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to seek clarity on whether transgender athletes could compete in women’s cricket in India. She said she did not receive a response to a letter submitted last year and later contacted Cricket Australia in June. According to Bangar, Cricket Australia reviewed her medical records, blood tests, surgery-related documents and a research report from Manchester Metropolitan University's Institute of Sport before reaching its decision. “After I published my athlete testing report and everything else, BCCI stayed quiet about it. Whereas Cricket Australia actually read my report, went through all my medical history and had a proper team assessing my case,” Bangar said. “I approached Cricket Australia and they gave me clearance to play in terms of fairness and inclusivity.” As Bangar searches for a club in Australia, community cricket will mark the first stage of her attempt to rebuild her career. Even if she meets all eligibility requirements in March 2027, selection for elite cricket will still depend on her performances. “I don’t expect my history or my identity to earn me a place on a cricket team. I want my cricket to earn me a place on a cricket team,” she said. For Bangar, the clearance has opened a pathway, but the next chapter of her cricket journey will be determined by eligibility, competition and her ability to earn a place on merit.