Anaya Bangar reveals harassment faced during gender transition in cricket

Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India cricketer and ex-batting coach Sanjay Bangar, has alleged that she was harassed by multiple cricketers, including receiving unsolicited nude photos. Anaya, who has publicly shared her experience of transitioning through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) also spoke about the challenges she faced within the cricketing world during her transition. 

Also Read: From Aryan Bangar to Anaya: Transformation of former cricketer Sanjay’s son to a female!

She recounted instances of both support and harassment, revealing that some cricketers sent her inappropriate messages and photos during her transition period. Formerly known as  Aryan, Anaya came into the spotlight when she began advocating for inclusivity in cricket and sharing her experience post-HRT. However, her latest disclosures highlighted the emotional and mental toll of maintaining secrecy about her identity, especially as she played alongside well-known names like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Musheer Khan. 

Anaya also alleged that harassment wasn’t limited to online messages. She described instances of verbal abuse and inappropriate behavior from senior players, including a veteran who propositioned her under the pretext of a private conversation. She emphasized the toxic masculinity and insecurity prevalent within the cricket community and how her father’s public stature forced her to conceal her identity. 

Her revelations come amid a global conversation on inclusivity in sports, especially following recent ICC and ECB policy changes regarding transgender athletes.