Anaya Bangar (Pic credit: Bangar's Instagram post) NEW DELHI: Anaya Bangar has taken a major step towards returning to competitive cricket after Cricket Australia confirmed that she will be eligible to play elite women’s cricket in the country from March 2027. Bangar, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in March, received the confirmation under Cricket Australia’s Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy.

The decision opens a pathway for her to pursue a place in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), although she stressed that eligibility does not guarantee a franchise contract. “I am now eligible to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia from March 2027 onwards.

“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,” she said. Eligibility secured, but WBBL place must still be earnedAnaya was quick to clarify that Cricket Australia’s decision only provides her with the opportunity to pursue elite women’s cricket.

“Cricket Australia has allowed me to pursue elite women’s cricket in Australia. The next challenge is to get myself into the best possible physical and competitive shape and put myself in a position to be considered by a WBBL franchise.

I still have to train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity,” she said. “So ultimately, I still have to convince a franchise that I can contribute to their team.

For me, that means getting back into competitive cricket in Australian leagues, working on my batting, bowling, fielding and fitness, training consistently and demonstrating that I can perform at that level.” From uncertainty to a pathway in AustraliaThe development comes against the backdrop of different policies governing transgender participation in cricket.

Cricket Australia has a different framework for elite domestic cricket, allowing transgender women who meet its eligibility and testosterone-related criteria to participate. “But I’ve also learned that I can’t build my future around waiting for somebody else to make a decision.

I had to focus on what I could control — my health, my transition, my performance, the scientific evidence, and having conversations with sporting organisations.” She added: “I’m grateful that I have a pathway in Australia, and I hope that my journey can contribute to a broader conversation about how sporting bodies can approach transgender participation with both fairness and inclusion.”