Cricket Australia has granted her clearance to participate in local community cricket while establishing a structured pathway for her to potentially reach elite women’s events, dependent on governing policy requirements. Anaya Bangar has established a clear timeline for her potential return to competitive sport, targeting March 2027 to begin pursuing elite opportunities in Australia, which includes a possible route toward the Women’s Big Bash League. As the daughter of former India cricketer and former head coach of the Indian men’s team Sanjay Bangar, Anaya previously played as a Mumbai under 19 cricketer.
Elaborating on the process, Bangar noted, ‘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. 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.’
She reiterated that meeting baseline criteria opens a door rather than securing a roster spot. ‘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,’ she added, emphasizing, ‘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. Contrasting the responses from the respective sporting boards, Bangar remarked, ‘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. She concluded, ‘I approached Cricket Australia and they gave me clearance to play in terms of fairness and inclusivity. At present, she is actively searching for a suitable club in Australia to commence her journey back to active competition.
