Former India U-19 star Manjot Kalra arrested in Lanka Premier League bribery case

Former India Under-19 cricketer Manjot Kalra, who scored his century in the 2018 U-19 World Cup final, was arrested in Sri Lanka on Friday on charges of trying to bribe players during the Lanka Premier League (LPL). Kalra, now co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise, was taken into custody by the police’s Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Sports-related Crime just hours before the opening match of the tournament.

Kalra, 27, has transitioned from professional cricket to sports business in recent years, becoming part of the Jaffna Kings ownership group ahead of the 2026 season. Sri Lankan investigators say he tried to lure the players with money in connection with the tournament after approaching them almost 10 days ago. The complaint is said to have been lodged by Sri Lankan internationals Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dunith Wellalage, all of whom are part of the Jaffna Kings squad.

Also Read: U-19 World Cup hero Manjot Kalra suspended from Ranji Trophy for ‘age fraud’

According to Sri Lankan police, Kalra was arrested at a hotel in Colombo as he allegedly prepared to hand over 9.5 million Sri Lankan rupees (around US$28,700) to the player. Authorities said the player alerted investigators soon after the initial approach, sparking an investigation that culminated in Friday’s arrest. Kalra was later produced before a magistrate.

LPL CORRUPTION COMES BACK TO LIFE

The arrest cast a shadow over the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League, which began on Friday when Jaffna Kings face Galle Gallants at the SSC Grounds in Colombo. The five-team, 24-match competition is due to end on August 8.

For the LPL, the latest controversy is an unwelcome reminder of the corruption allegations that have repeatedly surfaced around the tournament. Earlier this year, Dambulla Thunders owner Tamim Rahman was given a four-year suspended jail sentence after pleading guilty to attempting to influence players and organizing betting activities. He was also fined 24 million Sri Lankan rupees under Sri Lankan anti-corruption laws.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) acknowledged Kalra’s arrest in an official statement and reiterated its “zero tolerance” stance towards corruption and unethical practices. The board said it would cooperate fully with investigators if necessary and confirmed the tournament would continue as planned without interruption.

Kalra remains best known to Indian fans for his unbeaten 101 in the 2018 U19 World Cup final against Australia, an innings that helped India lift the title under Prithvi Shaw. However, eight years later, the former opening batsman finds himself at the center of one of the biggest controversies in the history of the Lanka Premier League.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

17 Jul 2026 16:30 IST