Former U-19 Star Manjot Kalra Arrested for Alleged Match-Fixing in Lanka Premier League

Manjot Kalra's Arrest Shakes Lanka Premier League

In a surprising turn of events, just ahead of the inaugural match of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026, former India U-19 cricketer Manjot Kalra has been detained by Sri Lankan law enforcement. He faces serious allegations of attempting to bribe players and manipulate match results. Notably, Kalra is also a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise in the LPL.

Details Surrounding Manjot Kalra's Arrest

Kalra was taken into custody at a luxury hotel in Colombo by the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) dedicated to preventing sports-related offenses. SIU Inspector Supun Vidanage revealed that Kalra was allegedly preparing to offer 95 lakh Sri Lankan rupees to a player. The investigation was initiated after a player reported Kalra's corrupt proposal to the authorities ten days prior to the tournament, allowing for close surveillance before the arrest. Following his capture, Kalra is expected to appear before a magistrate in Colombo.

The complaints that led to Kalra's arrest reportedly came from cricketers within his own franchise. Sri Lankan players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage, who are part of the Jaffna Kings team, allegedly filed reports after being approached for bribes and match-fixing.

Manjot Kalra: From U-19 Champion to Franchise Owner

Kalra first rose to fame with his remarkable century in the ICC U19 World Cup 2019 final, where he played alongside notable players such as Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Arshdeep Singh. He scored 102 runs against Australia, earning the Player of the Match title and contributing to India's victory in the tournament. Earlier this year, Kalra shifted from being a player to a sports investor, joining the ownership ranks of the LPL. The Jaffna Kings are owned by Sports Commune, a sports management firm co-led by Kalra and Indian entrepreneur Mayank Goel.