“No Space for You in Cricket,” Says Sanjay Bangar to Trans Daughter Anaya Bangar

Anaya Bangar, the trans daughter of former Indian cricket coach Sanjay Bangar, has spoken out about the emotional pain she faced after coming out as a transgender woman. In a heartfelt interview with Lallantop, Anaya Bangar shared her struggles with identity, acceptance, and rejection in the cricket world.

Anaya Bangar Reveals Emotional Struggles After Gender Transition

In the interview, Anaya Bangar revealed that her father once told her there is “no place” for her in the world of cricket after her gender transition. She said this left her feeling broken. “I had to take a stand for myself,” she said. “I got suicidal thoughts. It felt like the entire world was against me. I lost the opportunities and rights I once had after starting hormone therapy.”

Though she found support from her family, Anaya Bangar said society and the cricket system failed her. “There was no space for me in cricket or society,” the 23-year-old said. She also shared that she had earlier played cricket with well-known names like Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer Khan, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Anaya Bangar Exposes Toxic Masculinity in Cricket

Anaya Bangar also opened up about the toxic environment in cricket. She said, “The cricket world is filled with insecurity and toxic masculinity.” She claimed she was sent inappropriate messages and was even approached by senior cricketers with uncomfortable proposals.

In one shocking moment from the interview, she recalled, “A cricketer who used to abuse me openly would later ask for my photos. Another time, a veteran player asked me to sit in his car and said he wanted to sleep with me.”

Who is Anaya Bangar?

Anaya Bangar, earlier known as Aryan Bangar, is a cricketer and social media influencer. She is the daughter of former India all-rounder Sanjay Bangar. After undergoing gender-affirming surgery, she started identifying as Anaya.

She has played for Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai and the Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire. Today, she lives in Manchester and is quite active on Instagram, where she shares her journey and daily life with followers.

The emotional interview of Anaya Bangar has started an important conversation about LGBTQ+ inclusion in Indian sports. Her story is a reminder of the challenges that transgender athletes face and the need for change in how society and the sports world treat them.