Former India Under-19 cricketer Manjot Kalra, who shot to fame with his match-winning century in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup final, was arrested in Sri Lanka on Friday over allegations of attempting to bribe players during the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Kalra, now a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise, was taken into custody by the Police Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports just hours before the tournament opener.
The 27-year-old had moved away from professional cricket in recent years to pursue sports entrepreneurship and joined the Jaffna Kings ownership group ahead of the 2026 season. Sri Lankan authorities allege that he approached players around 10 days before the tournament and attempted to offer them money in connection with the competition.
According to reports, the complaint was filed by Sri Lanka internationals Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage, all of whom are members of the Jaffna Kings squad. According to Sri Lankan police, Manjot Kalra was arrested at a hotel in Colombo while allegedly attempting to hand over 9.5 million Sri Lankan rupees (approximately USD 28,700) to a player.
Authorities said the player had informed investigators shortly after the initial approach, prompting an investigation that ultimately led to Kalra’s arrest on Friday. He was later produced before a magistrate.
Lanka Premier League Back Under Scrutiny Amid Corruption Probe
The arrest has overshadowed the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League, which began on Friday with Jaffna Kingstaking on Galle Gallants at the SSC Grounds in Colombo. The five-team tournament features 24 matches and is set to conclude on August 8.
The incident has also brought renewed attention to the LPL’s history of corruption-related controversies. Earlier this year, Dambulla Thunders owner Tamim Rahman received a four-year suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to attempting to influence a player and facilitating betting activities.
He was also fined 24 million Sri Lankan rupees under the country’s anti-corruption laws. In an official statement, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) acknowledged Kalra’s arrest and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policytowards corruption and unethical conduct. The board said it would fully cooperate with the investigation if required and confirmed that the tournament would continue as planned.
Kalra is best remembered by Indian fans for his unbeaten 101in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup final against Australia, which helped India, led by Prithvi Shaw, clinch the title. Nearly eight years later, the former opener has now found himself at the centre of one of the biggest controversies in the history of the Lanka Premier League.
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