The upcoming reality series Rise & Fall has unveiled a powerful new addition to its contestant lineup — Anaya Bangar, the daughter of former Indian cricketer and coach Sanjay Bangar. Anaya, a transgender woman, cricketer, graphic designer, and LGBTQ+ advocate, will compete alongside 14 others when the show streams on Amazon MX Player from September 6, 2025.
Who is Anaya Bangar?
Anaya, formerly known as Aryan, transitioned in her early twenties and has openly shared her journey. Now 23 years old, she lives in Manchester, UK, though she originally hails from Mumbai, Maharashtra.
She has played for Islam Gymkhana in Mumbai and later for Hinckley Cricket Club in Leicestershire, before stepping away from cricket due to the harassment she faced after coming out. Anaya revealed on her YouTube channel that she moved to the UK in 2024 to undergo gender reassignment surgery and has been on hormone replacement therapy since.
Allegations and advocacy
In a recent promotional clip from her interview with Lallantop, Anaya leveled serious allegations against the Indian cricket system, claiming that some well-known cricketers sent her nude photos and harassed her after she came out. She said she was also verbally abused in front of her teammates.
Anaya has since taken to social media to advocate for inclusivity in cricket and beyond, speaking about the struggles of living a “double life” while playing in boys’ teams during her younger years.
Anaya in Rise & Fall
By joining Rise & Fall, Anaya brings not only her sporting background but also her story of resilience and advocacy to the reality show. Her presence is expected to amplify conversations around gender identity, inclusivity, and acceptance within the high-stakes environment of the competition.
