Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s son, Aryan, recently shared his 10-month hormonal transformation journey in a video that went viral on social media. In an Instagram reel, the 23-year-old posted old photos with former India captains MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, as well as with his father, alongside images taken after undergoing hormone replacement therapy.
Now identifying as Anaya, she reflects on her journey 10 months after the procedure. Like her father, Anaya was a left-handed batter and played club cricket for Islam Gymkhana. She also represented Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire, where she scored multiple centuries.
Although she may have left cricket behind, Anaya is content with discovering her true self. “Pursuing my dream of playing cricket professionally has been a journey of sacrifices, resilience, and steadfast dedication,” she shared.
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“From early mornings on the field to facing the doubts and judgments of others, every step has demanded strength. But beyond the game, I had another journey. A path of self-discovery and a lot of challenges faced.”
“Embracing my true self meant making hard choices, letting go of the comfort of fitting in, and standing up for who I am, even when it wasn’t easy.”
”Today, I’m proud to be a part of the sport I love at any level or category ,not only as an athlete but as my authentic self. The road hasn’t been easy, but finding my true self has been the greatest victory of all,” she wrote on Instagram.
Are transgender athletes permitted to play cricket?
In a decision made by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in November 2023, transgender athletes are not permitted to participate in women’s international cricket. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice highlighted the importance of maintaining the integrity of the women’s game as a key reason for this rule.
“While inclusivity is crucial to us as a sport, our primary concern was to protect the integrity of the international women’s game and ensure player safety,” Allardice told ESPNcricinfo.
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