Anaya Bangar Opens Up About Facing Toxic Masculinity and Discrimination in Indian Cricket
Despite sport often being hailed as a great equaliser, Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has shed light on the deep-rooted toxic masculinity and discrimination she has encountered in Indian cricket.
Anaya, who transitioned from Aryan to Anaya after undergoing hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery, shared her experiences in a candid interview with Hindi media outlet Lallantop.
She spoke openly about the harassment and marginalisation she has faced as a trans woman within the cricketing world.
Detailing some disturbing incidents, Anaya recalled, “A few cricketers would randomly send me nude pictures. One individual, in particular, would hurl abuses at me openly and then later sit beside me and ask for my photos.”
She also spoke about another unsettling moment involving a veteran cricketer: “When I confided in him about my situation, he told me, ‘Let’s go sit in the car — I want to sleep with you.’”
Anaya chose not to reveal the names of those involved.
Reflecting on her early life, Anaya shared that her awareness of her gender identity began around the age of eight or nine.
“I would pick out clothes from my mother’s wardrobe, wear them, and look into the mirror, telling myself: ‘I am a girl. I want to be a girl.’”She also opened up about the mixed reactions she received from the cricketing fraternity after her transition, acknowledging, “Some people have been supportive, while others have harassed me.”
Before her transition, Anaya had shown promise in cricket, following the path set by her father. As a young cricketer, she played age-group cricket and even shared the field with players like Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who have since become recognized names in the sport.
However, her journey took a difficult turn post-transition, as she found herself increasingly sidelined and marginalised in cricket circles. Anaya admitted that during her early playing days, she kept her identity hidden due to her father’s high-profile stature.
“Cricket, especially in India, is full of insecurity and toxic masculinity,” she reflected.
Anaya has represented Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai’s club cricket scene and also played for Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire, England.
Meanwhile, the debate over transgender participation in cricket has intensified on the global stage. In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a policy barring transgender women from competing in international women’s cricket.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice stated, “Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and the safety of players.”
Following the ICC’s lead, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a similar ban, set to take effect in 2025, prohibiting transgender women from participating at the elite domestic level.
Anaya, who now lives in Manchester, expressed her disappointment over these rulings via Instagram. She continues to use her platform to share insights on gender identity, inclusivity in sports, and her poverty as a trans woman.
