'Absolutely ridiculous'- Marizanne Kapp questions Cricket Australia’s decision on Anaya Bangar’s eligibility

South Africa's veteran allrounder Marizanne Kapp has strongly criticised Cricket Australia’s decision to allow India’s trans athlete, Anaya Bangar, to compete in women’s cricket. Anaya’s father, Sanjay Bangar, played 12 Tests and 15 ODIs for India and also served as the national team’s batting coach for five years.

Kapp shared a post by Australia Daily on her Instagram story and expressed concern over Cricket Australia’s call to provide Anaya a pathway back into the game.

"Absolutely ridiculous, this should not be allowed!" posted Kapp on her IG stories, reacting to Australia Daily’s post on Anaya, which stated that she had become eligible to compete under Cricket Australia’s transgender and gender‑diverse player policy.

According to Cricket Australia’s Transgender and Gender Diverse Players in Elite Cricket Policy, a player’s serum testosterone level must remain below 10 nmol/L for a minimum of 12 months to be eligible to compete in women’s cricket.

Anaya had approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) but did not receive a response. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has banned transgender players from pursuing a career in women’s cricket if they have gone through male puberty.

Having been cleared by Cricket Australia to compete in the country, Anaya, 25, is now hoping to establish herself as a professional cricketer Down Under.

“Today is an important day for me because after several years away from competitive cricket, I can finally speak about a pathway back to the sport that has been such a significant part of my life,” the 25‑year‑old said in a press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.

“I am preparing to return to women’s cricket in Australia with the aim of pursuing elite cricket from March 2027. I am not claiming that I have made a team. I am saying that I have been given the opportunity to compete for one, and I intend to work for it,” she said.

“My understanding is that Cricket Australia’s review considered a comprehensive body of information relating to my circumstances, including my medical history, surgical history, hormone and testosterone levels, my cricketing background and training footage as well, and the scientific and athletic performance work undertaken with Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport,” she added.

Having undergone gender affirmation surgery earlier this year, Anaya is hopeful she can maintain the required testosterone levels when she undergoes another test in March 2027.

“I have also undergone gender affirming surgery...which means my previous primary source of testosterone is no longer present. My most recent blood test in July recorded total testosterone at 0.6 nanomoles,” she explained.

“If that March 2027 test confirms that I continue to meet the required testosterone criteria, I will be eligible to pursue selection for elite women’s cricket, including the Women’s Big Bash League pathway.”