India’s U19 World Cup-winning cricketer Manjot Kalra has been denied relief in Sri Lanka after a local court rejected his bail plea in the ongoing match-fixing case. Kalra, the co-owner of the Jaffna Kingsfranchise, was arrested earlier this month in connection with the investigation.
Kalra and fellow accused Yuvraj Pushpa, who were remanded in custody from July 17 to July 31, sought early bail before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama. Their counsel, K.W.S. Fernando, requested bail on the grounds that both individuals were unwell.
However, the prosecution opposed the plea, stating that the Sri Lanka Police Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports was still investigating the case. Accepting the prosecution’s argument, the magistrate dismissed the bail application and ordered that the remand continue.
The corruption allegations were lodged by Sri Lanka internationals Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, and Dunith Wellalage. The court was also informed that two additional domestic cricketers have since come forward with similar complaints.
IPG, SLC End Sports Commune’s Jaffna Kings Deal
The 2026 Lanka Premier League, featuring five teams and 24 matches, is being played from July 17 to August 8. Meanwhile, Innovative Production Group, the league’s rights holder, along with Sri Lanka Cricket, terminated its franchise agreement with Sports Commune last week.
The decision ended Sports Commune’s ownership of the Jaffna Kings following Kalra’s arrest and the subsequent collapse of the franchise’s financial structure. To ensure the franchise’s stability, IPGand Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have assumed control of all player, coaching, and support staff contracts.
Their intervention came after Sports Commune’s financial crisis, which left the franchise unable to honour sponsorship commitments, forcing players to cover sponsor logos on their jerseys with black tape during the July 22 match.
Following the takeover, emergency funds were released to clear nearly 90% of the outstanding salaries of players and support staff. IPG has also assured that the remaining payments will be made within the timelines specified in the contracts.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.
