Anaya Bangar undergoes gender-affirming surgery, expresses gratitude to father for unwavering support

Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar, has shared that she recently underwent gender-affirming surgery in Thailand, calling it a major milestone in her personal journey.

Posting on social media, Anaya reflected on the emotional and often challenging path that led to this moment, highlighting the role her family played in supporting her. She shared a photograph from the hospital alongside her father, describing it as one of the most meaningful moments of her life.

Anaya acknowledged that acceptance within the family took time, noting that the journey involved confusion, questions, and gradual understanding. However, she expressed deep gratitude for the support she eventually received. She particularly emphasised her father’s presence during the surgery, calling his support genuine, unconditional, and deeply reassuring.

Anaya Bangar’s journey

Anaya has been open about her transition over the past few years. Assigned male at birth and earlier known as Aryan, she initially followed a cricketing path similar to her father, featuring in age-group setups such as Mumbai Under-16, Pondicherry Under-19 trials, and Mumbai Under-23 trials.

Her transition became more visible in 2023 when she began Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), documenting parts of the process publicly. While the journey brought her personal clarity, it also presented professional challenges, particularly in cricket, where physical changes affected her competitive prospects.

In a recent interaction with The Lallantop, Anaya spoke candidly about her experiences, including both the support she received and the difficulties she faced, such as instances of harassment within the sporting ecosystem.