Anaya Bangar undergoes gender-affirming surgery, thanks father for steadfast support

Anaya Bangar, daughter of former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has revealed that she has undergone gender-affirming surgery in Thailand, describing it as a defining step in her personal journey.

Sharing the update on social media, Anaya posted a hospital picture with her father, calling the moment deeply emotional and significant. She spoke about the challenges faced not only by her but also by her family, as they gradually moved towards understanding and acceptance.

Anaya expressed heartfelt gratitude for her father’s support, noting that while it did not come instantly, it grew into something strong and unconditional. She said his presence during the surgery made one of the most important moments of her life feel possible.

Journey and transition

Anaya’s transition has unfolded over the past few years. Assigned male at birth and previously known as Aryan, she had earlier pursued cricket and featured in age-group circuits, including Mumbai Under-16, Pondicherry Under-19 trials, and Mumbai Under-23 trials.

Her journey became more public in 2023 when she began Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), sharing aspects of the process online. While it brought clarity and self-acceptance, it also posed challenges in her cricketing career due to physical changes.

In a recent interaction with The Lallantop, Anaya opened up about both the support she received and the difficulties she encountered, including instances of harassment within the sporting space.