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WATCH: Ex-India cricketer’s son goes through gender reaffirming surgery
Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar's son Aryan recently showcased his gender transformation journey and revealed that he has now changed his name to Anaya
Published: Nov 11, 2024, 03:36 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 11, 2024, 03:37 PM (IST)
Former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar’s son Aryan recently shared a reel on Instagram which showcased his gender transformation journey. However, the reel was later deleted from the platform. The 23-year-old went through a hormonal replacement surgery and took to social media to share the 10-month progress.
In the viral post, it was revealed that Aryan has now changed his name to Anaya. Currently living in Manchester, Anaya shared some pictures with former India skipper MS Dhoni and star batter Virat Kohli in the reel.
“Chasing my dream of playing cricket professionally has been a journey filled with sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering dedication. From early mornings on the field to facing the doubts and judgments of others, every step has demanded strength,” wrote Anaya in the video’s caption.
“But beyond the game, I had another journey. A path of self-discovery and lot of challenges faced. 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,” Bangar added.
Just like Sanjay, Anaya is also a cricketer who has represented Islam Gymkhana in local club cricket. Apart from this, the left-handed batter has also played for the Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire.
However, in November 2023, the ICC laid out a rule which stated that transgender athletes will not be allowed to participate in women’s cricket.
Taking to Instagram, Anaya also shared a lengthy post to express disappointment over the ICC’s new rule.