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.
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 in an interview with Times Now, Bangar stressed that her eligibility is merely an opportunity, not a guarantee of selection. 'I think I understand the place where she’s coming from. To counter the point about the unfair advantage aspect, there has been testing conducted by the Manchester University Institute of Sport. They conducted a 12-week-long testing programme with me regarding my body’s athletic capabilities after I had been on hormone replacement therapy for a year. That test concluded that my physical parameters fall within the cisgender female athlete range,' said Bangar.
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.
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.
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.
Bangar, however, stressed that eligibility does not guarantee selection. She said she intends to earn her place on merit while acknowledging the physical challenges she has faced following her transition. She also called for informed discussions and a case-by-case approach when considering transgender athletes in cricket. Anaya Bangar to Play in WBBL? Here’s What She Has To Say.
Under Cricket Australia's current policy, Bangar is eligible to play women's community and Premier Cricket immediately. Her eligibility for elite-level competitions, including the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), begins from March 2027, subject to meeting the policy's requirements, including maintaining serum testosterone below 10 nmol/L for 12 continuous months.
Cricket Australia's policy seeks to balance inclusion with fairness and competitive integrity. At the international level, however, the ICC has a stricter policy introduced in November 2023 that prevents transgender women who have experienced male puberty from competing in international women's cricket.
(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).