Anaya Bangar Exposes Toxic Masculinity in Cricket: ‘A Veteran Cricketer Propositioned Me’
NEW DELHI – In a courageous and eye-opening revelation, Anaya Bangar, daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has brought to light the dark underbelly of toxic masculinity that continues to fester within the cricketing fraternity. In an exclusive interview with Lallantop, Anaya shared harrowing personal experiences of harassment, verbal abuse, and inappropriate advances, including a shocking proposition from a veteran cricketer.
Anaya, who publicly came out as transgender last year and detailed her journey of transformation through hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery, was formerly known as Aryan. Having followed in her father’s footsteps by playing age-group cricket in India, she represented notable clubs like Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai and Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire, UK. Despite her passion for the game, her journey post-transition has been marred by significant challenges within a sport often celebrated as a gentleman’s game.
“I’ve experienced both support and harassment,” Anaya reflected during the interview. She described disturbing interactions with fellow cricketers, including receiving unsolicited nude photos from some players. “There have been cricketers who randomly sent me nude pictures,” she revealed candidly.
Even more distressing were the instances of verbal abuse and inappropriate behavior. “One person would abuse me with gaalis in front of everyone, and moments later, would sit beside me and ask for my photos,” she shared. The most shocking incident, however, involved a veteran cricketer. “When I was in India, I confided in a puraane (veteran) cricketer about my situation. He suggested we go for a drive and then said, ‘I want to sleep with you,’” Anaya recounted, highlighting the predatory behavior she encountered.
Having played alongside rising Indian cricket stars like Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal during her early years, Anaya was compelled to conceal her true identity due to her father’s prominence in the cricketing world. “I had to maintain secrecy because my dad is a well-known figure. The cricket world is rife with insecurity and toxic masculinity,” she lamented.
Her cricketing aspirations took a further hit in November 2023, when the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a policy barring transgender women from competing in international women’s cricket. The ICC justified the decision by emphasizing the need to protect the integrity of the women’s game and player safety. Then-ICC CEO Geoff Allardice stated, “Inclusivity is incredibly important, but our priority is to safeguard the international women’s game.” Anaya expressed her profound disappointment through a detailed Instagram post, calling out the exclusionary nature of the policy. She now resides in the United Kingdom, continuing to advocate for inclusivity in sport.
Anaya’s revelations are a stark reminder of the pervasive issues that plague cricket beyond the boundary. Her bravery in speaking out against harassment and discrimination sheds light on the urgent need for cultural reform within the sport. As cricket evolves, it must confront these uncomfortable truths to foster an environment where every individual, regardless of gender or identity, can thrive without fear.
What will it take for cricket to truly embody the spirit of inclusivity and respect? Anaya Bangar’s story is not just a personal battle; it’s a call to action for the cricketing world to dismantle entrenched biases and champion change. Let us hope her voice echoes loud enough to inspire a safer, more equitable future for the game we all love.