Sanjay Bangar's Son Aryan Reveals Transformation Journey

Aryan Bangar, the son of former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has made waves on social media with a heartfelt post revealing her 10-month hormonal transformation journey. Aryan, now identifying as Anaya, shared her experiences with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the challenges she’s faced along the way.

In a touching Instagram post, Anaya reflected on her deep connection to cricket, saying, “From a young age, cricket has always been a part of my life. Growing up, I watched my dad with admiration as he represented and coached the country, and it didn’t take long for me to dream of following in his footsteps. His passion, discipline, and commitment to the sport deeply inspired me. Cricket became my love, my ambition, my future.”

However, Anaya acknowledged the difficult reality she now faces: “I never thought I’d have to consider giving up the sport that has been my passion, my love, and my escape. But here I am, as a trans woman undergoing HRT, facing drastic changes in my body. I’ve been losing muscle mass, strength, muscle memory, and athletic abilities that I once relied on. The game I’ve loved for so long is slipping away from me.”

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A post shared by Anaya Bangar (@anayabangar)

Currently based in Manchester, England, Anaya plays cricket for a local county club, though details about her specific club remain unclear. Anaya has showcased her skills on social media, including an impressive Instagram reel where she scored 145 runs in a match, further demonstrating her talent and passion for the game.

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A post shared by Anaya Bangar (@anayabangar)

Cricket and Transgender Participation in the UK

Anaya’s journey comes at a time of significant changes in cricket regulations for transgender players in the UK. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently announced a new policy, effective from 2025, that bans transgender women from competing at the elite level of women’s domestic cricket. Under the new guidelines, players who have gone through male puberty will not be eligible to participate in the top two tiers of the women’s domestic game, including competitions like The Hundred.

However, transgender women will still be allowed to compete in lower tiers of the domestic structure, specifically in tier three, which includes less competitive counties, as well as in recreational cricket.

Anaya’s story highlights both the personal and regulatory challenges faced by transgender athletes, particularly in a sport where physicality plays such a significant role. Despite the hurdles, her continued participation in cricket and the support from her community underscore the importance of inclusion and understanding in the sport.