Manjot Kalra, the former India Under-19 World Cup-winning cricketer who starred in the 2018 final, has been arrested in Sri Lanka over allegations of attempting to influence players during the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL). The arrest comes just hours before the start of the tournament’s latest season and has once again brought the spotlight back to corruption concerns surrounding franchise cricket.
According to reports from Sri Lanka, Kalra, who is also a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise, was taken into custody by the country’s anti-corruption authorities following complaints from players associated with the team. Officials allege that he attempted to offer financial incentives to influence a player’s conduct during the tournament.
Manjot Kalra Taken Into Custody Before LPL Opener
Sri Lanka’s Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Sports-Related Offences carried out the arrest on Friday, shortly before the opening matches of the 2026 Lanka Premier League. Following his detention, Kalra was produced before a magistrate as part of the legal process.
Investigators claim the inquiry began after a player reported being approached approximately ten days earlier. Authorities then launched an investigation before making the arrest ahead of the tournament’s opening day.
Kalra, 27, reportedly became a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise earlier this year after investing in the team.
Complaints Filed by Sri Lankan International Players
Sri Lankan police stated that several national team players lodged complaints regarding the alleged approach. Reports identify Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage-all members of the Jaffna Kings squad-as among those who informed authorities about the incident.
Investigators allege that an attempt was made to influence a player through a monetary offer connected to the tournament. Authorities have not publicly disclosed additional details about the specific allegations as the investigation remains ongoing.
The arrest took place on the same day that Jaffna Kings were scheduled to begin their LPL 2026 campaign against Galle Gladiators.
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From Under-19 World Cup Hero to Legal Investigation
Manjot Kalra rose to prominence during the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, where he played a defining role in India’s title-winning campaign. Batting in the final against Australia, Kalra scored an unbeaten century that guided India to a comfortable victory under captain Prithvi Shaw.
His memorable innings established him as one of India’s brightest young batting talents at the time. However, despite that breakthrough performance, Kalra did not secure a long-term place in India’s senior national team and continued his career primarily through domestic cricket and franchise opportunities.
His recent involvement with the Jaffna Kings came as a franchise co-owner rather than solely as a player, making the current allegations particularly significant for the league’s governance and integrity.
LPL Continues Despite Fresh Corruption Concerns
The Lanka Premier League has faced several integrity-related controversies in recent years, including investigations into alleged match-fixing, betting, and corruption.
Earlier this year, a Sri Lankan court sentenced the owner of another LPL franchise to four years in prison after the individual admitted attempting to involve a player in betting-related activities. That case intensified calls for stricter monitoring and stronger anti-corruption measures within the competition.
The latest allegations involving Manjot Kalra have once again raised concerns about protecting the integrity of franchise cricket in Sri Lanka.
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Sri Lanka Cricket Says Tournament Will Continue
Despite the high-profile arrest, Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that the 2026 Lanka Premier League will continue as scheduled without disruption.
The five-team tournament began on 17 July and is set to conclude on 8 August, featuring 24 matches across the competition. Tournament organisers have indicated that anti-corruption authorities will continue their investigation independently while the league proceeds according to its planned schedule.
As legal proceedings continue, no court has determined Manjot Kalra‘s guilt, and the allegations remain under investigation. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as the case progresses, while cricket administrators continue to emphasise the importance of maintaining transparency and protecting the integrity of the sport.
