“Cricketers Sent Me Nudes”: Anaya Bangar Shares Shocking Experience
Anaya Bangar, who was born as Aryan, is the child of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar. She followed her father’s path and played cricket at a young age. But life changed after she underwent hormone therapy and gender-affirming surgery. Anaya now lives in the United Kingdom and is open about her journey and struggles.
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Realizing Her True Identity at a Young Age
In a recent interview with Lallantop, Anaya said she felt different as early as 8 or 9 years old. She would wear her mother’s clothes and tell herself in the mirror, “I am a girl. I want to be a girl.” This feeling stayed with her, but she kept it hidden for years, especially because of her father’s fame in cricket.
Facing Toxic Masculinity in Cricket
Anaya shared that she played with many well-known cricketers like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, and Musheer Khan. But the cricket world, she said, was filled with toxic masculinity and insecurities. She had to hide her identity to avoid judgment and negative attention.
Harassment After Surgery
After her gender-affirming surgery, Anaya revealed that while some people supported her, others harassed her. She received unsolicited nude photos from a few cricketers. She also talked about someone who would abuse her publicly but later ask for her pictures in private. Another veteran cricketer even made a shocking and inappropriate proposal to her.
Her Cricket Career So Far
Despite all odds, Anaya continued playing cricket. She represented Islam Gymkhana in India and also played for Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire. But rules changed in 2023 when the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that transgender athletes cannot play in women’s international matches.
Anaya Bangar Speaks Out Against ICC Rule
Anaya expressed her disappointment with the ICC's new rule through a post on Instagram. She highlighted how such decisions hurt the dreams of transgender athletes and limit inclusivity in sports.
View this post on Instagram
Living Openly in Manchester
Anaya now lives in Manchester and remains active on social media. She regularly updates her followers and continues to inspire many with her courage and openness about her identity.
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