Anaya Bangar claims she's eligible to play Women's Big Bash League in Australia

Anaya Bangar says she is eligible to pursue elite women's cricket in Australia from March 2027, opening a potential pathway to the WBBL. She called the development deeply emotional and now hopes to rebuild her fitness and form before seeking a franchise opportunity.Anaya Bangar said she's eligible to play in the WBBL. Courtesy: Anaya Bangar InstagramAnaya Bangar has claimed that she is now eligible to pursue elite women’s cricket in Australia from March 2027, opening a potential pathway towards the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). The development could mark a significant step in Bangar’s bid to return to competitive cricket after stepping away from the sport following her transition.Bangar, who previously played age-group cricket in Mumbai, said the possibility of returning to the sport carries deep personal significance. Speaking to Bombay Times, she described the development as an emotional moment after believing that her cricketing career might have ended.“I am now eligible to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia from March 2027 onwards. For me, this is incredibly emotional because there was a point when I genuinely believed I had lost cricket forever,” Bangar said.“Cricket has been such a fundamental part of my identity since childhood, and having to step away from the sport after my transition was one of the hardest things I experienced. So this isn’t simply about being included in a women’s league. It represents the possibility of returning to the sport I deeply love.” CRICKET AUSTRALIA PATHWAY OPENSCricket Australia has long maintained an inclusion policy for transgender and gender-diverse players in domestic cricket. Its guidelines distinguish between community and elite cricket, with the WBBL explicitly classified as an elite competition.Bangar said Cricket Australia has now allowed her to pursue elite women’s cricket in Australia, although she still faces a considerable challenge before she can actually earn a WBBL contract. “Cricket Australia has allowed me to pursue elite women’s cricket in Australia. The next challenge is to get myself into the best possible physical and competitive shape and put myself in a position to be considered by a WBBL franchise.”The WBBL has an overseas-player system in which international players make themselves available for selection by franchises. Under the current structure, clubs can select overseas players through the draft, while they can also directly sign one international player ahead of the draft.‘I STILL HAVE TO CONVINCE A FRANCHISE’ Anaya Bangar said she would have to rebuild herself as a cricketer. Courtesy: Anaya Bangar Instagram For Bangar, eligibility is therefore only the beginning. Her immediate focus is on returning to competitive cricket and rebuilding herself as an all-round cricketer before seeking an opportunity at the WBBL level.“The WBBL has an overseas-player contracting and draft system, where clubs select from the pool of available international players, like it happens in the IPL or the WPL. So ultimately, I still have to convince a franchise that I can contribute to their team.”“For me, that means getting back into competitive cricket in Australian leagues, working on my batting, bowling, fielding and fitness, training consistently and demonstrating that I can perform at that level.”Bangar’s potential return comes as Australian cricket continues to expand opportunities in the women’s game. Cricket Australia’s Women and Girls Action Plan has targeted increased participation, investment and opportunities across the sport, including the WBBL.For now, Bangar’s goal is clear: return to competitive cricket, regain her rhythm and fitness, and put herself in contention for a WBBL opportunity from 2027. Eligibility may have opened the door, but the next step will be proving herself on the field.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Aug 25, 2026 18:20 IST