Anaya Bangar has finally spoken about the Cricket Australia decision that could open a route back to competitive cricket after years away from the sport. But despite headlines surrounding the possibility of a Women’s Big Bash League future, Bangar has made one thing crystal clear: she has not been handed a team spot.
The former Mumbai age-group cricketer, and daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, is now preparing for a possible return to elite women’s cricket in Australia from March 2027. That pathway remains subject to Cricket Australia’s eligibility requirements and a further assessment, making this less of a guaranteed comeback and more of a major checkpoint in a journey she says she has spent years trying to restart.
Anaya Bangar Says Cricket Australia Gave Her a Pathway, Not a WBBL Place
Speaking after Cricket Australia confirmed her pathway toward elite women’s cricket, Bangar described the moment as deeply emotional.
“Everyone, thank you for being here. Today is an important day for me because after several years away from competitive cricket, I can finally speak about a pathway back to the sport that has been such a significant part of my life.”
She explained that she is preparing to return to women’s cricket in Australia with the aim of pursuing elite cricket from March 2027, stressing that Cricket Australia considered her case through a formal framework designed to balance fairness, competitive integrity and inclusion.
Most importantly, Bangar pushed back against the idea that she had already secured a professional opportunity.
“I am not claiming that I have made a team. I am saying that I have been given the opportunity to compete for one, and I intend to work for it.”
She later made her position even clearer:
“Cricket Australia has given me a pathway, which does not mean that I have been given a place in a team. I still have to train, compete, perform, and earn that opportunity. That’s exactly how I want it.”
“I don’t expect my history or my identity to earn me a place on a cricket team. I want my cricket to earn me a place on a cricket team.”
What Cricket Australia’s Decision Actually Means for Anaya Bangar
The key distinction is between eligibility and selection.
Cricket Australia has not signed Bangar to a WBBL team or guaranteed her a professional contract. Instead, it has determined that she can pursue elite women’s cricket under its transgender and gender-diverse player policy, subject to continued compliance and a further eligibility assessment in March 2027.
For now, Bangar is eligible to play Premier Cricket, which Cricket Australia classifies as community cricket, while she rebuilds her competitive career and looks for an Australian club.
Time
Development
March 2026
Bangar underwent gender-affirming surgery, according to reports
July 2026
Bangar said her testosterone level was recorded at 0.6 nmol/L
August 2026
Cricket Australia confirmed a pathway toward elite women’s cricket
March 2027
Next major eligibility assessment for elite cricket
After eligibility
Bangar can pursue selection, including the WBBL pathway
Bangar’s pathway toward elite cricket is not unconditional. Under Cricket Australia’s published policy, eligibility for elite women’s cricket requires a player’s serum testosterone concentration to remain below 10 nmol/L continuously for at least 12 months.
Bangar said her understanding is that another blood test assessment will take place at the relevant March 2027 checkpoint.
“My understanding from Cricket Australia’s clearance is that my eligibility for elite women’s cricket from March 2027 remains subject to the applicable policy requirements, including a blood test assessment at the same time.”
She added:
“If that March 2027 test confirms that I continue to meet the required testosterone criteria, I will be eligible to pursue selection for elite women’s cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League pathway.”
That makes March 2027 an eligibility checkpoint, not a guaranteed WBBL debut.
Anaya Bangar Says Her July Testosterone Level Was 0.6 nmol/L
Bangar has publicly discussed her hormone levels, saying that following her gender-affirming surgery, she no longer has testes, which had previously been her primary source of testosterone.
According to her own account, a blood test conducted in July 2026 recorded her total testosterone at 0.6 nmol/L, which she described as being within the female reference range reported by the laboratory.
That figure should be understood as medical information disclosed by Bangar herself, rather than Cricket Australia independently publishing her confidential medical records. She has also acknowledged that she must continue meeting the governing body’s requirements.
Cricket Australia’s Review Considered More Than Testosterone
The public debate around transgender athletes in women’s sport often focuses heavily on testosterone. Bangar, however, said Cricket Australia considered a much broader body of information.
“My understanding is that Cricket Australia’s review considered a comprehensive body of information relating to my circumstances, including my medical history, surgical history, hormone and testosterone levels, my cricketing background and training footage as well, and the scientific and athletic performance work undertaken with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport.”
NDTV also reported that the review considered medical, surgical, hormonal and cricket-related information alongside performance work undertaken with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport.
The WBBL Is the Dream, But Not the Finish Line
Bangar has identified the Women’s Big Bash League as one of the elite opportunities she hopes to pursue. Speaking about the possibility of returning, she said:
“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.”
Cricket, she explained, has been part of her identity since childhood.
“Cricket has been such a fundamental part of my identity since childhood, and having to step away from the sport after my transition was one of the hardest things I experienced.”
“So this isn’t simply about being included in a women’s league. It represents the possibility of returning to the sport I deeply love.”
But even after meeting eligibility requirements, Bangar would still need to earn selection through performance.
Why Cricket Australia and ICC Rules Are Not the Same
One of the biggest points of confusion is that Cricket Australia’s domestic policy differs from the ICC’s international regulations.
The ICC adopted new international women’s cricket eligibility regulations in November 2023. Under those rules, male-to-female players who have experienced male puberty are not eligible for international women’s cricket, regardless of surgery or gender reassignment treatment.
The ICC has made clear that its regulations apply to the international game, while domestic eligibility remains a matter for individual member boards.
That means Bangar’s potential pathway into Australian domestic elite cricket should not be interpreted as clearance to represent Australia in international women’s cricket.
Bangar Says Fairness and Inclusion Can Coexist
Bangar acknowledged the wider debate surrounding transgender participation in women’s sport while arguing that fairness and inclusion do not have to be opposing ideas.
“At the same time, I believe inclusion and fairness do not have to be treated as mutually exclusive principles. Good sporting policy should be capable of considering both.”
She added:
“This is why I respect the process Cricket Australia has followed in considering my case.”
Bangar previously played Mumbai age-group cricket and is now attempting to return to a sport she had already competed in before stepping away. She had also sought clarity from the BCCI about transgender participation in women’s cricket.
According to her account:
“After I published my athlete testing report and everything else, BCCI stayed quiet about it. Whereas Cricket Australia actually read my report, went through all my medical history and had a proper team assessing my case.”
“I approached Cricket Australia and they gave me clearance to play in terms of fairness and inclusivity.”
Those comments reflect Bangar’s account and should not be treated as a formal BCCI policy ruling.
For now, her next step is simple but demanding: find a club, play Premier Cricket, train, compete and prove herself.
“I spent years trying to find a way back. Today, I finally have a pathway to try.”
This article is based on thorough research using Cricket Australia’s published policies, ICC regulations, statements directly attributed to Anaya Bangar, and reporting from NDTV, Hindustan Times, India Today and Times of India. Bangar’s reported medical information, including her July 2026 testosterone result, is presented as information she personally disclosed and should not be interpreted as Cricket Australia independently publishing confidential medical records. Eligibility for elite women’s cricket from March 2027 remains subject to Cricket Australia’s applicable requirements and assessment at that time. Eligibility does not guarantee selection, a professional contract or a place in the Women’s Big Bash League. Cricket Australia’s domestic policy should not be conflated with ICC regulations governing international women’s cricket, and policies may change after August 30, 2026.
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