Aryan Bangar, son of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, recently posted a reel on Instagram to reveal his transformation journey. The 23-year-old, who underwent hormone replacement therapy, shared his 10-month progress on social media, creating a buzz online. Now known as Anaya, he also included photos in the reel with former India captain MS Dhoni and star batsman Virat Kohli. Currently residing in Manchester, Anaya’s post, however, was later removed.
“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,” wrote Aryan (now Anaya) in the video 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,” he added.
Following in his father Sanjay Bangar’s footsteps, Anaya is also a cricketer and has represented Islam Gymkhana in local club cricket. The left-handed batter has further honed his skills playing for Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire.
However, in November 2023, the International Cricket Council (ICC) stated transgender athletes will not be allowed to participate in 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,” stated ICC CEO Geoff Allardice.
Taking to Instagram, Anaya also shared a lengthy post to express disappointment over ICC’s new rule.
Anaya (previously Aryan) is currently living in Manchester and is very active on Instagram and always keeps the followers updated.