Anaya Bangar Breaks Silence on Marizanne Kapp’s ‘Absolutely Ridiculous’ Remark
Transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar has addressed criticism from Marizanne Kapp regarding her eligibility under Cricket Australia's policy. Post-transition in March 2026, Bangar is cleared for immediate community cricket, aiming for elite-level play from March 2027 if she meets CA's testosterone criteria.
Indian transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar, 25, has firmly countered recent criticism from South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, who labelled Cricket Australia's decision to grant Bangar a pathway into women's cricket as "absolutely ridiculous." Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer Sanjay Bangar, highlighted her adherence to Cricket Australia's (CA) inclusive policies and underscored the personal challenges of her post-transition journey, advocating for a nuanced approach to transgender athlete participation. Marizanne Kapp Strongly Opposes Cricket Australia's Decision to Clear WBBL Pathway for Anaya Bangar.
Marizanne Kapp's Public Outcry
Marizanne Kapp, a prominent figure in international women's cricket, publicly voiced her strong disapproval of CA's decision on August 28, 2026. Reacting to the news on social media, Kapp posted: "Absolutely ridiculous. This should not be allowed." Her comments ignited a fresh debate surrounding the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sport, particularly concerning perceived competitive fairness.
Anaya Bangar's Measured Response and CA's Policy
Anaya Bangar, who underwent gender-affirming surgery in March 2026, received clearance from Cricket Australia to immediately participate in women's community and Premier Cricket across the country. She is also set to become eligible for elite-level cricket, including the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), from March 2027, provided she continuously meets CA's 'Inclusion of Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy' requirements. This includes maintaining her serum testosterone concentration below 10 nmol/L for a continuous period of 12 months.
Responding to the controversy, Bangar stressed that her eligibility is merely an opportunity, not a guarantee of selection. "Eligibility is not selection," she stated, clarifying that she still intends to "train, compete, perform and earn that opportunity." She further expressed hope that her experience could contribute to a more informed conversation about transgender athletes in women's sport, urging sporting organisations to approach these questions responsibly, with evidence, individual assessment, fairness, and respect.
Cricket Australia's policy, developed in 2019, aims to foster safe and inclusive environments while balancing fairness and competitive integrity. An expert panel, including CA's Head of Integrity and medical officers, assessed Bangar's case in line with these guidelines.
Contrasting Policies: CA vs. ICC
The discussion also brings into focus the differing regulations between domestic and international cricket. The International Cricket Council (ICC) implemented a policy in November 2023 that prohibits transgender women who have undergone male puberty from competing in international women's cricket. This contrasts with Cricket Australia's domestic policy, which allows for participation under strict hormonal criteria.
Key Facts at a Glance
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2026 01:31 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
