‘Cricketers sent me nude photos’: Sanjay Bangar's child Anaya opens up after sex change surgery

Anaya Bangar, daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has been on a journey of transformation. Once known as Aryan and following in her father's footsteps as a budding cricketer, Anaya’s life took a turn after undergoing hormone replacement therapy and gender reaffirming surgery. Now based in the United Kingdom, Anaya has opened up about the hardships that have shaped her path.

In a interview with Lallantop, Anaya shared that she first felt a sense of disconnect with her assigned gender as early as eight or nine years old. "I used to pick clothes from my mom's cupboard, wear them, and look into the mirror thinking, 'I am a girl. I want to be a girl'," she recalled.

Despite being part of cricket’s inner circle—having played alongside names like Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal—Anaya kept her identity a secret for years. "I had to stay quiet about myself because of my dad's public image. The cricket world is filled with insecurity and toxic masculinity," she said.

Anaya revealed that while some peers were understanding, others crossed boundaries. "Some cricketers even sent me nude pictures without consent," she said, when asked about the harassment she faced. She also described disturbing instances of verbal abuse and inappropriate advances, including a senior cricketer who once propositioned her under the guise of a private conversation.

On the field, Anaya has remained passionate about the sport, representing Islam Gymkhana in India and later Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire. However, her aspirations were dealt a blow in November 2023 when the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced a ban on transgender women participating in international women's cricket.

While the ICC cited "protecting the integrity and safety of the women's game," Anaya expressed her dismay through a heartfelt Instagram post, calling the decision painful.