Indian transgender cricketer Anaya Bangar has written a letter to the ICC and BCCI about her research on hormone therapy on athletic performance. Taking to her personal Instagram handle, Anaya posted the screenshot of the letter with a caption," This letter comes from a place of love for the game and belief in fairness. I’ve reached out to BCCI and ICC, trusting that dialogue and science can walk together."
She wrote, "From January to March 2025, I participated in an 8-week research project conducted at the Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport (UK). The goal was to evaluate how hormone therapy has affected my strength, stamina, haemoglobin, glucose levels, and overall performance capacity all in direct comparison to cisgender female athletic standards.
The results were clear and scientifically validated: The results were clear and scientifically validated:
• My haemoglobin levels, glucose regulation, and power output are all within or below cisgender female athlete norms.
• My endurance and muscle power have declined significantly under hormone therapy, proving the effectiveness of HRT in aligning my physiology with female benchmarks."
She added,"This was not done to make a political statement. It was done to start a science-based conversation about fairness and inclusion in sport one that centres data over assumption. As a governing body that holds enormous influence over the future of cricket in India and globally, I urge the BCCI to consider the following:
1. Initiate a formal dialogue on transgender women's inclusion in women's cricket,
grounded in medical science, performance metrics, and ethical fairness.
2. Explore eligibility pathways based on sport- specific metrics such as haemoglobinthresholds, testosterone suppressiontimelines, and performance testing.
3. Collaborate with experts, athletes, and legal advisors to create policies that are both inclusive and competitive.
I am releasing my report and story publicly not for sympathy, but for truth. Because inclusion doesn't mean ignoring fairness it means measuring it, transparently and responsibly.
I would deeply appreciate the opportunity to meet with you or a representative of the BCCI or ICC to present my findings, discuss possible policy pathways, and work towards a future where every athlete is evaluated based on real data not outdated perceptions.
Thank you for your time, and for considering this step toward a more inclusive and future-forward cricketing world.
ECB bans transgender players in women's cricket
Recently the ECB declared its new policy, which prohibited the participation of transgender women in all levels of women’s cricket in England, which also contains recreational and grassroot levels. The decision came following the United Kingdom (UK) Supreme Court’s verdict that stated the legal term “woman” based on biological sex.
The latest guideline stated that only those whose biological sex is female are permitted to play in women’s and girls’ cricket competitions. However, transgender women and girls will still be allowed to play the game in the mixed-gender and open categories.
Before the start of English summer, ECB released a statement which read, “Our regulations for recreational cricket have always aimed at ensuring that cricket remains as inclusive a sport as possible. However, given the new advice received about the impact of the Supreme Court ruling, we believe the changes announced today are necessary.”
