Cricketers Sent Me Nude Photos: Anaya Bangar, Sanjay Bangar’s Child, Makes Shocking Revelation

Anaya Bangar Speaks Out on Harassment in Cricket

In a brave and eye-opening interview, Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, has revealed disturbing instances of harassment she faced from fellow cricketers after her gender transition. Speaking candidly to Lallantop, Anaya shared how some cricketers sent her unsolicited nude photographs and made inappropriate advances, shining a spotlight on the “toxic masculinity” that she believes continues to pervade cricket culture.

Anaya, who was formerly known as Aryan Bangar, has become an important voice for transgender individuals in sports, particularly in cricket – a sport historically dominated by rigid gender norms. Her revelations come at a time when sports governing bodies worldwide are grappling with policies regarding transgender athletes’ participation.

The Journey from Aryan to Anaya: A Personal Transformation

Anaya’s journey of self-discovery began at a very young age. During her interview, she shared that she first realized her gender identity didn’t align with her assigned gender when she was just eight or nine years old. “I used to pick clothes from my mom’s cupboard and wear them. Then, I used to look into the mirror and say, ‘I am a girl. I want to be a girl,'” she recounted.

Last year, Anaya publicly shared her transformation story for the first time, revealing the challenges and triumphs of her journey that included hormone replacement therapy and gender-affirming surgery. The daughter of a well-known cricketer, Anaya’s transition was particularly complicated by her father’s public profile and her own involvement in cricket.

Despite the personal challenges, Anaya took the courageous step of embracing her true identity, becoming an inspiration for many transgender individuals, especially those in the sports community who might be struggling with similar journeys.

Anaya’s Cricket Career and Famous Teammates

Following in her father’s footsteps, Anaya played age-group cricket before her transition. Sanjay Bangar represented India in 12 Tests and 15 ODIs between 2001 and 2004 before becoming a respected coach in Indian cricket. Like her father, Anaya showed promise on the cricket field and played alongside several players who have since become prominent figures in Indian cricket.

“I played with some well-known cricketers now like Musheer Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Yashasvi Jaiswal,” Anaya shared, highlighting her connections within the cricket fraternity. She also revealed that maintaining secrecy about her gender identity was particularly challenging because of her father’s well-known status in cricket.

Shocking Revelations: Nude Photos and Inappropriate Advances

One of the most disturbing aspects of Anaya’s interview was her revelation about the inappropriate behavior she encountered from fellow cricketers. Beyond the unsolicited nude photographs, she detailed other troubling experiences: “The person used to give gaalis [abuse] in front of everybody. The same person then used to come and sit beside me and ask for my photos.”

Even more concerning was her account of an incident involving a veteran cricketer: “There was another instance, when I was in India, I told a puraane (veteran) cricketer about my situation. He told me let’s go in the car, I want to sleep with you.” These revelations paint a disturbing picture of the predatory behavior Anaya encountered within cricket circles.

Such incidents raise serious questions about the safety and respect afforded to women and transgender individuals within sports environments, particularly in cricket where locker room culture has traditionally been hyper-masculine.

Toxic Masculinity in Cricket: A Systemic Issue

Throughout her interview, Anaya repeatedly referenced the “toxic masculinity” and “insecurity” that she believes characterizes much of cricket culture. “Cricket world is filled with insecurity and toxic masculinity,” she stated, suggesting that these attitudes are deeply entrenched within the sport.

This observation is particularly significant coming from someone who has experienced cricket culture from multiple perspectives – first as a male player and later as a transgender woman. Anaya’s unique vantage point allows her to identify patterns of behavior that might otherwise remain hidden or normalized within cricket’s predominantly male environment.

ICC’s Transgender Policy and Its Impact

In November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced a policy that barred transgender athletes from participating in women’s international cricket. This decision directly impacts athletes like Anaya who have undergone gender transition.

At the time of the announcement, then-ICC CEO Geoff Allardice stated: “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.” The policy reflected the complex balancing act sports organizations face when addressing transgender participation.

Anaya publicly expressed her disappointment with this decision through a detailed post on Instagram. For athletes like her who have undergone gender-affirming treatments, such policies can effectively end their hopes of competing at the highest levels of their sport in their affirmed gender.

Anaya’s Current Life in the UK

Currently, Anaya resides in the United Kingdom, where she continues to navigate life as a transgender woman with connections to the cricket world. Her move to the UK may reflect the challenges she faced in India, both in terms of societal acceptance and opportunities within cricket.

Although specific details about her current activities were not elaborated upon in the interview, her willingness to speak publicly about her experiences suggests a commitment to advocacy and raising awareness about the challenges faced by transgender individuals in sports.

By sharing her story internationally, Anaya is contributing to a global conversation about gender inclusion in sports and highlighting issues that transcend cultural and national boundaries.

Breaking Barriers and Changing Perceptions

Anaya Bangar’s courageous decision to speak out about her experiences represents an important step toward greater awareness and accountability within cricket and sports more broadly. By highlighting the harassment she faced and the structural issues of toxic masculinity within cricket culture, she has initiated a conversation that many would prefer to avoid.

Her journey from a young cricket player following in her father’s footsteps to becoming an advocate for transgender rights in sports illustrates both personal courage and the ongoing challenges faced by transgender athletes worldwide.

As cricket and other sports continue to evolve in their approach to gender inclusion and athlete conduct, stories like Anaya’s provide crucial insights into the lived experiences of those most affected by these policies and cultural practices. The cricket world now faces the challenge of responding constructively to these revelations and working toward a more inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all participants.