Anaya Banger, the daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Banger, Manchester Metropolitan University Sports Research Institute In the UK, we evaluate her physiological profile after undergoing gender-affirming surgery and hormone replacement therapy.
From January to March 2025, the 23-year-old underwent an eight-week research project to measure glucose levels, oxygen uptake, muscle mass, strength and endurance after extensive training.
Shared results via Instagramrevealing that her metrics line up with cisgender female athlete metrics, positioning her as qualified for female cricket under current scientific standards. Banger’s findings challenged the ban on the 2023 International Cricket Council for transgender women cricket athletes and urged them to seek a science-based dialogue to reform the management committee for cricket and trans-inclusion policies in India.
“I’m talking to the hands with scientific evidence,” Banger said in an interview posted on her Instagram page. “So I hope this has an impact. I hope that BCCI and ICC will talk to me and discuss this further.”
On November 21, 2023, the ICC enacted a controversial policy banning trans women from international women cricket. The regulations, which were finalised after a board meeting in Ahmedabad, India, prohibit competing for trans players who have experienced male adolescents, regardless of gender-maintaining surgery or hormonal therapy. Developed via A 9 month consultation The rules, led by the ICC’s Medical Advisory Board, aim to protect the “integrity, safety and equity” of women’s cricket, have garnered criticism for excluding athletes like Daniel McGahay of Canada, the first trans woman to play internationally. This policy, which allows national committees to set their own rules, is scheduled for review by November 2025.
Banger shared social media documents confirming his participation in physiological studies at the Manchester Metropolitan University Sports Institute focusing on cricket performances from January 20th to March 3rd, 2025. The report confirmed that her key indicators, including hemoglobin, blood glucose, peak power and average power, lined up with metrics for female cisgender athletes. Initially, her fasting blood glucose level measured 6.1 mmol/L, slightly above the typical nondiabetic range of 4.0-5.9 mmol/L, but subsequent testing normalized, enhancing the findings of studies in which her physical profile meets female exercise standards.
“I have submitted this to the BCCI and ICC and have full transparency and hope,” Banger said. “My only intention is to start a conversation based on facts that are not fearful. Rather than splitting it, it’s about building up space.”
in letter To the BCCI and ICC, Banger highlighted the test results of the Manchester Metropolitan University study. She explained that the study aimed to assess how hormone therapy affected her strength, stamina, hemoglobin, glucose levels, and overall performance.
The Banger letter to the BCCI and the ICC revealed the Manchester study not as a political statement but as a catalyst for a science-led dialogue on fairness and inclusion in cricket. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing empirical data over assumptions to form an equitable policy for sports transathletes.
Banger urged BCCI, the world’s most influential cricket authorities, to launch a formal dialogue on the inclusion of trans women in women’s cricket, rooted in medicine, performance metrics and ethical equity. She sought an investigation of eligibility pathways based on sports-specific criteria, such as hemoglobin thresholds, timelines for testosterone suppression, and standardized performance tests. Additionally, she advocated for collaboration with experts, athletes and legal counsel, and developed a policy that balances inclusiveness and competitive integration.
“I publicly publish my report and story, not for sympathy, not for the truth. Inclusion does not mean ignoring fairness, so it means measuring it transparently and responsibly,” Banger said in a letter to the BCCI. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to present my findings, discuss possible policy paths, and meet with you or representatives of the BCCI or ICC to work towards a future in which all athletes are assessed based on actual data rather than outdated perceptions.”
Before her transition, Banger competed with Mumbai’s Islamic Jimkana at the Hinckley Cricket Club in the UK, showing off her talent at the domestic cricket circuit. Her father, Sanjay Bangar, was a reliable all-around for the Indian National Cricket Team from 2001 to 2004, playing 12 Test matches and 15 1-day internationals. He later served as batting coach for the Indian team from 2014 to 2019, contributing to strategic development.
Indian cricket is a cultural phenomenon and he commands the above fanbase. 1 billionmore than 80% of global cricket audiences come from the country.
The International Cricket Council, the governing body of sports, oversees 12 all-state countries and more than 90 associate members, and in 2019 the US recently achieved associate membership status and co-hosted the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. BCCI generated approximately $2.25 billion in revenue for the 2023-24 fiscal year, primarily from the Indian Premier League, Bilateral Series and ICC revenue sharing. ICC earns over $3 billion from India-only media rights for the 2024-27 cycles, donating almost 90% of global media rights revenues, and BCCI receives 38.5% of ICC’s annual revenues, approximately $231 million per year.
Indian women’s cricket enjoys an increase in its fan base with over 300 million viewers in the Women’s Premier League in 2024, making it a key driver of the sport’s global popularity. The International Cricket Council oversees women’s cricket in 12 all-country countries, oversees more than 90 associate members; We Since earning Associate Status in 2019, she has formed a women’s team and has participated in ICC events such as the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers. BCCI He invested heavily in women’s cricket and allocated approximately $60 million a year to WPL and domestic programs in 2024-25; ICCA $20 million budget for women’s cricket development around the world. The Indian women’s cricket media market, including WPL broadcasting rights, generated $120 million in 2024, accounting for more than 50% of ICC’s women’s cricket media revenue.
“As a woman, when someone says they are women, they feel trans or cis. Trans women are definitely emotional and vital, especially when someone is taking hormone replacement therapy. LGBTQ rights activists and trans women’s mothers. “If ICC and BCCI are stopping her from playing because she is trans, I say this is their lack of awareness and of course a social mindset that denys acceptance.”
Chakraborty told Blade that bangers are an asset no matter what. She said women’s cricket teams only benefit from participation, but discriminatory policies are obstacles.
“In fact, transgender communities face such discrimination in all areas. Despite being strong, they face rejection. This is very inhuman. These attitudes are regressive and never thrive. “We, our way of thinking and society are problematic. Overall, we need to be conscious and together to get Anaya’s justice. Today, if we remain silent, the whole community is oppressed. We need to understand the proper knowledge of gender issues.”
The BCCI and the International Cricket Council have not responded to repeated requests for comments from Blade.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
