Anaya Bangar has received confirmation from Cricket Australia (CA) that she will be eligible to participate in elite women’s cricket in Australia from March 2027. Bangar shared pictures of the official statement on her social media account, marking a significant step in her bid to return to competitive cricket.
The confirmation follows an eligibility determination issued by CA on July 20. In a letter dated August 20, CA Head of Integrity Jacqui Partridge confirmed that Bangar’s eligibility would not be affected by amendments to the governing body’s transgender and gender-diverse player policy.
CA said the decision was based on the medical information provided by Bangar, including the timing of her testosterone suppression treatment and definitive surgery.
CA CONFIRMS PATHWAY TO ELITE CRICKET
Under the determination, Bangar must continue to meet CA’s eligibility requirements. The policy requires players competing in the female category of elite cricket to maintain a serum testosterone concentration below 10 nmol/L continuously for at least 12 months. She will also need to provide a blood test upon arrival in Australia confirming that she remains within the required threshold.
The Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) is classified as elite cricket, potentially giving Bangar a pathway to the competition. However, the clearance does not guarantee a contract. She will need to return to competitive cricket, rebuild her fitness and form, and impress a franchise.
In the meantime, Bangar is eligible to participate in Premier Cricket competitions in any Australian state or territory, as they are classified as community cricket.
BANGAR EYES WBBL OPPORTUNITY
Bangar, who previously played age-group cricket in Mumbai, described the development as deeply emotional. She told Bombay Times that she had once believed her cricket career was over.
“I am now eligible to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia from March 2027 onwards. For me, this is incredibly emotional because there was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever,” Bangar said.
She acknowledged that eligibility is only the first step and said her immediate focus would be on rebuilding her fitness and competitive rhythm before pursuing a WBBL opportunity.
CA’s policy differs from the International Cricket Council’s regulations for international women’s cricket, which do not allow transgender women who have undergone male puberty to compete in elite international women’s cricket.
For Bangar, the decision provides a potential route back to competitive cricket and an opportunity to pursue her ambition of playing in the WBBL.
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