In a breakthrough move for Indian cricket, Anaya Bangar (name changed), a cricketer who recently came out as transgender, has come out with a poignant appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow her to play in women’s cricket competitions. This courageous and empowering step has ignited the conversations in the world of sports about inclusiveness and representation in cricket.
Anaya Bangar’s Journey
Anaya BangarBorn biologically male, Anaya Bangar has adopted her identity as a transgender woman with courage and a continual journey of soul searching. The idea she could play professional women’s cricket, which she has now openly stated her wish to do, and represent her country one day is now the stuff dreams are made of. In a recent interview, Anaya said, “मैं महिला क्रिकेट में खेलना चाहती हूं…” (“I want to play in women’s cricket”) underscoring her love for the game and desire to be a game changer.
A Sincere Appeal to ICC and BCCI
Anaya has now also officially approached the world’s and India’s governing bodies for cricket, i.e. the ICC and BCCI respectively, to look into her entry into women’s cricket. She wants the cricketing world to introduce guidelines and policies that would enable her – and other transgender athletes – to play the game they all adore on a level playing field.
The ICC does have its own guidelines for transgender participation, but the onus is on each country’s board, including the BCCI, to frame its regulations regarding domestic cricket. The plea of Anaya may open a way to ask the national and international cricket governing bodies to recheck and redefine their gender eligibility policies.
From Here in Netherlands to There in New Zealand, a Uneven Tale of Inclusion in Cricket
Anaya’s high-profile petition has sparked a crucial conversation within the Indian sports community on the rights and visibility of transgender athletes. Although the sports of athletics and weightlifting have already begun formulating rules of their own on transgender inclusion at the world level, cricket does not yet have clearly defined rules that are internationally accepted.
Many believe her bold act is a positive step towards a more inclusive game of cricket, one that challenges stereotypes and is more sympathetic to gender diversity. Fans and other players took to social media to offer support, commending her for her bravery in speaking up and questioning the status quo.
What Lies Ahead?
Let’s wait for the reply from the ICC and the BCCI. If they allow her appeal, Anaya Bangar could potentially become India’s first openly transgender woman cricketer — a landmark for the country’s storied game and sports in India at large.
And her experience could, for the better, provide some of the groundwork for policy reform, allowing other hopeful transgender athletes to overcome fear or hesitation and make a run at their dreams.
From accepting herself to openly seeking a place in women’s cricket is an inspiring journey of Anaya Bangar as sports can be a way to break the ceiling and break open mindsets. Cricket boards are considering her appeal and people across the world are pondering if that appeal will lead to a more diverse future in cricket.
