Anaya Bangar Reflects On Reduced Athletic Edge Following Transition: ‘Can Lead To Muscle Loss’

Last Updated:August 30, 2026, 07:42 IST

Anaya Bangar, transgender player, cleared to play in Australia. She discusses her transition, new body and WBBL aspirations.

Anaya Bangar has been allowed to play Community Cricket in Australia (Picture credit: Instagram @anayabangar)

Cricketer Anaya Bangar said that she is looking forward to training and playing Down Under, having received clearance to play Community Cricket in Australia, adding that it will require renewed vigour to play cricket after losing her athletic edge during the transition.

Anaya, who was assigned male at birth, underwent gender-affirming genital surgery earlier this year and has since been exploring chances to continue her cricket career.

Anaya had also approached BCCI but received no response before turning to Cricket Australia. In a video interview with YEARSthe 25-year-old, who played age-group cricket alongside India internationals Sarfaraz Khan and his brother Musheer Khan, expressed her excitement at the prospect of playing in Australia.

“To be honest, the women’s standard in Australian cricket, I think it is of the highest quality and I am looking forward to training and performing and seeing how it goes for me because now I have a new body,” Anaya said.

“I don’t have the athletic capabilities I had previously. I am just going to try my best, see how it goes, and hopefully get selected in the WBBL as well. I have already got scientific evidence backing my case from Manchester University and on top of that, the guidelines set by Cricket Australia maintain inclusion, fairness and dignity of women’s sport, while also having proper policies set, including the testosterone levels,” Anaya added.

The cricketer acknowledged that she is entering unfamiliar territory, as the surgery and subsequent hormone treatment have changed her as an athlete compared to her earlier years.

“People don’t understand how much the body changes after you suppress your testosterone for a period of time and it can lead to muscle loss, bone density loss and diminished athletic capabilities as well over time,” Anaya said.

“It has been published by multiple studies out there as well,” the cricketer added.

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Will Anaya Bangar play in the Women’s Big Bash League?

Anaya Bangar aims to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) next year. Her eligibility for elite cricket, including the WBBL pathway, is conditional on a blood test in March 2027 confirming her serum testosterone concentration remains below 10 nmol/L.

How will hormone treatment affect Anaya Bangar’s cricket career?

Anaya Bangar stated that hormone treatment has led to a loss of athletic edge, including muscle and bone density loss, and diminished athletic capabilities. She noted that her body has changed significantly after suppressing testosterone.

What are Cricket Australia’s policies for transgender athletes?

Cricket Australia’s policies for transgender athletes include guidelines that maintain inclusion, fairness, and dignity in women’s sport, with specific policies regarding testosterone levels. For a player to be eligible, their serum testosterone levels must be below 10 nmol/L for a minimum of 12 months.

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