Introduction: In a powerful and courageous revelation, Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has brought to light the dark underbelly of toxic masculinity and harassment within the cricketing world. Anaya, who transitioned from Aryan to Anaya through hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery, has faced immense challenges in her journey as a transgender woman in a sport often seen as a bastion of traditional masculinity. Her story is not just one of personal transformation but a clarion call for change in cricket culture.
The Revelation: In a candid interview with Lallantop, Anaya shared how her realization of being in the ‘wrong gender’ began at the tender age of eight or nine. ‘I used to pick clothes from my mom’s cupboard, wear them, look into the mirror, and say, I am a girl. I want to be a girl,’ she recalled with poignant honesty. Having played age-group cricket alongside rising stars like Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, Anaya was forced to conceal her true identity due to the pervasive insecurity and toxic masculinity in the cricket fraternity. Her father’s prominence as a former Indian player and coach added an extra layer of pressure to maintain secrecy.
Shocking Harassment: Anaya’s revelations about the harassment she endured post-transition are deeply unsettling. ‘There has been support, but there has also been harassment,’ she admitted. Among the most disturbing experiences was receiving nude photos from fellow cricketers, unsolicited and invasive. She recounted instances of verbal abuse, with one individual publicly hurling insults only to later demand personal photos. In another chilling incident, a veteran cricketer propositioned her, suggesting they ‘go in the car’ so he could ‘sleep with her’ after she confided in him about her situation. These encounters paint a grim picture of the challenges transgender individuals face in sports.
Cricketing Journey and Barriers: Anaya followed in her father’s footsteps, playing for Islam Gymkhana in local club cricket in India and representing Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire, UK. Sanjay Bangar himself played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 2001 and 2004, earning respect as a gritty all-rounder. However, Anaya’s aspirations in cricket hit a roadblock in November 2023 when the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a policy barring transgender athletes from participating in women’s international cricket. Then-ICC CEO Geoff Allardice defended the decision, stating, ‘Inclusivity is incredibly important to us, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.’ Anaya expressed her disappointment over this exclusionary rule in a heartfelt Instagram post, highlighting the emotional toll of being sidelined.
Conclusion: Now residing in the United Kingdom, Anaya Bangar’s story is a stark reminder that cricket, often celebrated as a gentleman’s game, still grapples with deep-seated issues of gender discrimination and harassment. Her bravery in speaking out against such adversities challenges the sport’s stakeholders—players, administrators, and fans—to foster a more inclusive and respectful environment. As cricket continues to evolve, Anaya’s voice serves as a beacon for change, urging the community to confront toxic masculinity and embrace diversity. Will her revelations be the catalyst for a long-overdue cultural shift in cricket? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: her story cannot be ignored.