Anaya Bangar to Undergo Gender-Affirming Surgery in Thailand, Says Father Sanjay Bangar Is Supporting Her Entirely
Anaya Bangar to Undergo Gender-Affirming Surgery in Thailand, Says Father Sanjay Bangar Is Supporting Her Entirely
Anaya Bangar, the child of former Indian cricketer and national team coach Sanjay Bangar, is set to take a major step in her transition journey. A cricketer herself and a prominent voice for transgender rights, Anaya has announced that she will undergo gender-affirming surgery in March, marking a milestone she has been working toward for years with determination and resilience.
According to The Times of India, Anaya revealed that she will be travelling to Thailand for the procedure, specifically vaginoplasty, and will remain there for at least a month as part of her recovery process. She shared that her father will be covering the full cost of the surgery — a gesture that holds deep emotional meaning for her, especially given the challenges she has faced in gaining acceptance.
“I will be undergoing gender-affirming surgery in March. Fashion designer Saisha Shinde and actress Trinetra Haldar Gummaraju, who have gone through the same process, helped guide me,” Anaya said. “I’ll be having the surgery at the same clinic in Thailand. I’ll need to stay there for at least a month, followed by extended rest. I won’t be able to play cricket for around six months, but I’m grateful that this moment has finally arrived.”
Anaya described the decision as the result of a long and careful process. “I’ve waited five years for this. This is who I am. I never felt connected to the gender I was assigned at birth,” she explained. “This decision came after years of therapy, medical consultations and deep self-reflection. I underwent thorough psychological and medical evaluations to be sure I was ready.”
Her journey, however, has not been easy. In the past, Anaya had spoken openly about a painful conversation with her father, during which she was told she no longer had a future in cricket. That moment left a lasting impact on her. Despite this, she continued to pursue both her identity and her passion, while also becoming a strong advocate for the inclusion of transgender athletes in international cricket.
Over time, her family’s perspective began to shift. Anaya shared that increased public support and her own growing independence played a role in this change. “People started respecting me, taking pictures with me, standing by me. My father saw that. Both my parents realised this wasn’t a phase — that I was serious about my life and my choices,” she said.
She added that her younger brother, Atharva, has always been supportive, and that her parents eventually came around as well. “I believe that’s what led them to fully support me. My father is bearing the complete expenses of my surgery. There was a time when I was completely on my own in the UK, and stigma around LGBTQ+ identities within families is still very real.”
Anaya hopes that by sharing her story, she can help make things easier for others. “If my parents’ support can help another trans woman feel accepted at home, then speaking out is worth it,” she said. “In a country where discussions around gender identity are still difficult, having my family stand by me means everything.”
