Anaya Bangar, the child of former Indian cricketer and national coach Sanjay Bangar, will undergo gender-affirming surgery in March.
Anaya, who is also a cricketer and a vocal trans-rights advocate, shared her journey publicly and revealed that her parents now fully support her decision.
Anaya confirmed that her father will bear the complete cost of the surgery, which will take place at a clinic in Thailand. She explained that she will need to stay there for at least a month and rest for several months afterwards, delaying her return to cricket.
“I’ve waited for this moment for five years. This is who I am. I never felt aligned with the gender I was born with. The decision came after years of therapy, medical evaluations, and deep self-reflection,” Anaya said. She added that fashion designer Saisha Shinde and actress Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, who have undergone similar procedures, guided her through the process.
Earlier, Anaya recalled that her father once told her she had no future in cricket. However, she has continued to speak about the inclusion of transgender athletes in international cricket. Over time, her parents came to understand her choices, especially after witnessing the respect and support she received from the public.
“My father saw people standing by me and realised this wasn’t a phase. Both my parents offered me full support. Their acceptance means everything, especially in a country where conversations around gender identity remain difficult,” she said.
Anaya hopes her story will inspire other trans women and make family conversations about gender identity easier.
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