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Former Indian batting coach Sanjay Bangar's son Aryan has shared his journey of becoming Anaya. Anaya is on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and her testosterone levels are down to the lowest for an average cisgender woman. She expressed disappointment over giving up on her dream to represent the nation like father Sanjay.
The 23-year-old is currently living in Manchester and often shares her batting videos. She shared a video documenting her transformation. The video featured photos with former Indian captain MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
"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," Anaya wrote in the caption.
"But beyond the game, I had another journey. A path of self-discovery and 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," the young cricketer added.
Earlier, Aryan has represented Islam Gymkhana in local club cricket, the same club Sanjay played for. In England, the youngster played for Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire.
Anaya not eligible to play women's cricket after transformation
As per the International Cricket Council's (ICC) statement last year, transgender athlets will not be be eligible to play women's cricket.
"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," ICC CEO Geoff Allardice said in 2023.
She shared a post over the rule. She explained that it was impossible for her to meet ICC regulations as women's cricket allows player who transitioned before male puberty.
Anaya often shares the details of her transformation. She also said that she is losing strength she worked hard for in order to help her cricket career thrive.
