Who is Anaya? Formerly Aryan and ex-cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s child who underwent hormonal replacement surgery

Former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar's child Aryan is now Anaya. Previously a cis-gendered male, Anaya underwent hormonal replacement surgery in the past year and has been chronicling her journey through social media. She is an aspiring sportswoman and her journey of finding herself is going viral on the internet.

Who is Anaya Bangar, formerly Aryan Bangar?

Anaya is a 23-year-old left-handed batter who is also a passionate cricketer. She previously played for the Islam Gymkhana in local club cricket and in Leicestershire’s Hinckley Cricket Club. In a 10-month transformation video that Anaya posted on her Instagram handle, this?Manchester resident?can be seen with?former India skipper MS Dhoni and star batter Virat Kohli.?

In a note alongside the video, Anaya wrote, "Chasing my dream of playing cricket professionally has been a journey filled with sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering dedication. 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," her note further read.?

Anaya Bangar’s struggle in the Indian cricketing space

It was in November 2023 that the International Cricket Council (ICC) ruled out that transgender athletes would not be allowed to participate in women's cricket. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said back then, "Inclusivity is incredibly important to us as a sport, but our priority was to protect the integrity of the international women's game and the safety of players.”

Anaya then posted a long note expressing her disappointment over the ICC's new rule. You can read it here:-

For the unversed, Anaya’s dad?Sanjay Bapusaheb Bangar is a cricket commentator and the head of cricket development of the IPL franchise Punjab Kings. A former Indian international cricketer, Bangar played as an all-rounder and represented the Indian national cricket team in several Tests and ODIs.

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