Former India Under-19 World Cup winner and Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra has been arrested in Sri Lanka for alleged bribery of a player, sparking an anti-corruption investigation.
IMAGE: Manjot Kalra shot to fame when he scored a century in India’s 2018 U-19 World Cup final victory against Australia in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. Photo: ICC/X Cricket World Cup
Key points
- Former India Under-19 World Cup winner and Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra has been arrested by Sri Lankan sports anti-corruption investigators.
- Kalra was accused of attempting to bribe a player ahead of the 2026 Lanka Premier League.
- The investigation began after a player reported an alleged approach about 10 days earlier.
- Sri Lanka Cricket pledged full cooperation with investigators and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on corruption.
A former Indian under-19 cricketer, co-owner of Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings, was arrested on Friday by Sri Lankan anti-corruption sports investigators on allegations of attempted bribery of a player.
The arrest occurred hours before the start of the sixth edition of the tournament.
The suspect, Manjot Kalra, remembered for his hundred victories in the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup final, was arrested by the Police Special Investigation Unit for Prevention of Sports Related Crimes and later produced before a magistrate.
Kalra, 27, who transitioned into sports entrepreneurship, invested in the Jaffna Kings franchise earlier this year.
According to Sri Lankan police, Kalra is accused of attempting to seduce a player with money in connection with the tournament.
Player complaint triggers anti-corruption investigation
Investigators said the player had alerted authorities after being approached about 10 days earlier, leading to the arrest on Friday.
The complaint was lodged by Sri Lankan players Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dunith Wellalage, police said. All three play for the Jaffna Kings franchise.
The arrest came on the opening day of LPL 2026 with Jaffna Kings taking on Galle Gallants at the SSC Grounds in Colombo. The five-team tournament has 24 matches and is scheduled to conclude on August 8.
The LPL has faced scrutiny over allegations of match-fixing, bribery and corruption for some time.
Earlier this year, a Sri Lankan court handed down a four-year suspended prison sentence to the owner of another LPL franchise after he admitted attempting to influence a player and organize betting activities under the country’s anti-corruption law. He was also fined 24 million Sri Lanka rupees.
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Sri Lanka Cricket supports investigation as LPL continues
In a statement, Sri Lanka Cricket said it had taken note of the arrest reported on Friday and would extend its full cooperation to the Special Investigations Unit for the Prevention of Sports Related Crimes should assistance be requested in relation to the investigation.
The cricket body further said that the tournament will go ahead as scheduled without any interruption.
Reiterating its “zero tolerance” approach to corruption and unethical practices, the board said it remained committed to protecting the integrity of the league.