In a brave and emotional interview, Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has made shocking revelations about the harassment she faced from within the cricket world. Anaya, a transgender woman, has shared how difficult her journey has been, not just socially but also in the world of cricket, which she once called her home.
Anaya, who was earlier known as Aryan before undergoing gender transition and hormonal therapy, said she was sent nude pictures by some well-known cricketers after they found out about her identity. She also revealed facing abusive language and inappropriate advances, even from veteran players.
Anaya’s painful journey began in her childhood. “I was around 8 or 9 years old when I used to wear my mother’s clothes and say in the mirror, ‘I am a girl. I want to be a girl.’” But coming from a cricketing family, and being the daughter of a popular coach, she had to hide her real self while playing the game.
She played club-level cricket both in India and the UK, sharing the field with stars like Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. But behind the scenes, she says the environment was toxic. “The cricket world is full of insecurity and toxic masculinity,” Anaya said.
In one instance, a cricketer openly abused her in front of teammates but later tried to get close to her. “He would curse in front of everyone, but then come to me and ask for my pictures,” she said. Another incident was even more disturbing. Anaya recalled a veteran cricketer telling her, “Let’s go in the car. I want to sleep with you,” after she confided in him about her gender identity.
The pain didn’t stop online either. “Some players sent me nude photos randomly. It was harassment,” she said, adding that although there was some support, much of her experience was filled with bullying and mental trauma.
Despite all this, Anaya continues to speak up for inclusivity in sports. After the ICC and ECB introduced new rules that restrict transgender women from playing in certain women’s matches, Anaya expressed her disappointment. “The system failed me. Transgender athletes shouldn’t have to choose between their passion and their identity,” she said.
Now living in Manchester, Anaya is using her voice to demand change in cricket. She’s urging the authorities to frame policies that support trans women in sports and ensure a respectful and safe environment for everyone.
Anaya’s story is not just about sports, it’s about identity, courage, and the right to live with dignity. It reminds us how far we still have to go in accepting and supporting people from the LGBTQ+ community in all walks of life, including cricket.
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