Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s son, Aryan, has shared her inspiring 10-month hormonal transformation journey, which has now gone viral on social media. In an emotional Instagram reel, the 23-year-old posted a series of old pictures with iconic cricketers, including MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli, alongside photos post hormone replacement therapy, marking a significant change in her life.
Ten months after undergoing the procedure, Aryan now identifies as Anaya. Like her father, Anaya has a background in cricket—she was a left-handed batter, playing for Islam Gymkhana in local club cricket. Anaya also represented the Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire, where she made a name for herself by scoring multiple centuries.
While Anaya has since stepped away from competitive cricket, she’s embraced her true identity with pride. On Instagram, she shared her journey, writing:
“Chasing my dream of playing cricket professionally has been a journey filled with sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering dedication. Embracing my true self meant making hard choices, letting go of the comfort of fitting in, and standing up for who I am, even when it wasn’t easy. Today, I’m proud to be a part of the sport I love at any level or category, not only as an athlete but as my authentic self. The road hasn’t been easy, but finding my true self has been the greatest victory of all.”
Where Is Anaya Now?
Currently, Anaya resides in Manchester, where she plays for one of the county clubs in the area. Though the exact name of her club is not publicly confirmed, an Instagram video revealed that she recently scored an impressive 145 runs in one of her matches.
However, Anaya’s journey has not been without challenges. She has publicly voiced her dissatisfaction with the England and Wales Cricket Board’s (ECB) decision to ban transgender women from competing in women’s cricket. Despite the obstacles, Anaya continues to remain steadfast in her pursuit of both personal and athletic fulfillment.
Anaya’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and unapologetic authenticity, inspiring others to live their truth.