Anaya Bangar To Undergo Gender-Affirming Surgery in March; Says She Has Full Support of Father Sanjay Bangar

Cricketer and trans-rights advocate Anaya Bangar has revealed that she will undergo gender-affirming surgery in March, marking a significant milestone in her transition journey. The decision comes with complete emotional and financial support from her parents, including former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar and her mother Kashmira Bangar. Anaya Bangar Successfully Undergoes Major Gender-Affirming 'Breast Augmentation and Tracheal Shave' Surgeries (See Post)

‘This Is Who I Am’: Anaya Bangar on Her Decision

In an exclusive interaction with Bombay Times, Anaya said, “I will be undergoing gender-affirming surgery (vaginoplasty) in March.” She shared that fashion designer Saisha Shinde and actor Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, who have undergone the procedure, guided her through the process. “I’ll be having the surgery at the same clinic in Thailand, where I’ll need to stay for at least a month. After that, I’ll have to rest for a while. I won’t be able to play cricket for at least six months, but I’m glad this is finally happening,” she said. Anaya added that the decision followed years of therapy and medical evaluations. “I’ve waited for this moment for five years. I never felt aligned with the gender I was born with. This surgery isn’t about proving anything to society. It’s about finally feeling at home in my body.”

Anaya Bangar on Family’s Support

The 25-year-old credited a shift in family support to increased visibility and stability after her appearance on the reality show Rise and Fall. “My father saw people standing by me and respecting me. Both my parents realised this wasn’t a phase,” she said. Anaya confirmed that her father will bear the full cost of the surgery. “In a country where conversations around gender identity are still difficult within families, my parents’ support means everything,” she noted, adding that she hopes her story helps other trans women navigate similar conversations at home.

Addressing Advocacy and Sport

Responding to criticism around her advocacy, Anaya said, “No one goes this far just for publicity. My stand is simply that fairness should be evidence-based, not fear-based.” She added that her current focus is on healing, while hoping her experience opens space for more informed discussions in sport. Satire Alert! No Yuzvendra Chahal and Anaya Bangar Are Not Getting Married.

What Is Vaginoplasty?

Vaginoplasty is a gender-affirming surgical procedure commonly undertaken by trans women. It involves creating vaginal canal and external genitalia that align with a person’s gender identity. The surgery is typically preceded by psychological assessments and followed by a recovery period that can last several months, including rest and medical aftercare. As Anaya prepares for the next chapter of her life, she says the journey ahead is about recovery, self-acceptance and living fully with everything else to follow in time.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 05, 2026 12:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).