However, Cricket Australia has now cleared her for a pathway towards competitive women's cricket, subject to its eligibility requirements."It's been lonely, it's been brutal, but it's also been worth it," Anaya told PTI.
She underwent gender-affirming surgery in March and approached Cricket Australia's Head of Integrity Jacqui Partridge in June after learning about the governing body's policy for transgender and gender-diverse players.
"Just hearing the news about Cricket Australia clearing me, and basically providing me a path to play women's cricket, to play cricket as who I am is huge for me," she said.Anaya, daughter of former India cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar, admitted that her transition was an extremely isolating experience, particularly amid the wider debate surrounding transgender athletes in sport."When you're transitioning, and when you're a trans-athlete, during this political climate in this world, it can get very isolating. You feel very lonely, you feel like there's no one who really understands out there," she said.She revealed that she had once given up hope of playing cricket again after beginning her transition."I never thought that I'll be able to get to play cricket ever since the day I started transitioning. I just tried to put myself out there and see what happens," she said. Despite stepping away from the sport and navigating major personal and family changes, Anaya said the experience has made her stronger. (Agencies)