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Eight years ago, Manjot Kalra was the teenager living every young cricketer’s dream. Opening alongside captain Prithvi Shaw in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup final, Kalra smashed an unbeaten century against Australia and helped India lift the trophy. He was then picked in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as well. But everything has gone downhill. But on Friday, however, the former India U-19 star has landed himself in an adverse situation.
Kalra, now a co-owner of Lanka Premier League franchise Jaffna Kings, was arrested by Sri Lanka’s Police Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports over allegations of attempting to bribe a player. The arrest came just hours before the opening day of the 2026 Lanka Premier League season.
We covered earlier that a Jaffna Kings co-owner has been arrested for allegations of match-fixing. It all came on the opening day of the Lanka Premier League 2026.
According to Sri Lankan authorities, the 27-year-old was produced before a magistrate and remanded in custody until July 31. An associate of Kalra, identified as Indian national Yuvraj Pushpa, was also arrested in connection with the case and remanded by the court.
As per India Today, Investigators alleged that a player was approached with a monetary offer related to the tournament around 10 days ago. The player reportedly informed authorities, starting the investigation that eventually led to Friday’s arrests. Court proceedings revealed that the complaint was lodged by Sri Lankan cricketers Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, Dunith Wellalage and two other players.
The Lanka Premier League has battled corruption-related controversies before. Earlier this year, the owner of another franchise received a four-year suspended prison sentence and a hefty fine after admitting to attempting to influence a player and organise betting activities under Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption laws.
From Under-19 World Cup hero to franchise owner
Kalra’s journey has been one of the more unusual stories in Indian cricket. After his famous hundred in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup final, many expected him to build a long domestic career. Instead, it happened to be the last thing a cricket would want.
Earlier this year, Kalra entered franchise ownership after investing in the Jaffna Kings through Sports Commune, a company he co-founded with entrepreneur Mayank Goel. The group took charge of the franchise’s operations ahead of the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League.
At the time, Kalra had spoken about building fan engagement, grassroots initiatives and sports content around the franchise. He also launched his YouTube podcast, Second Innings with Manjot Kalra, where he regularly interviewed cricketers and athletes.
Age-fraud controversy derailed Kalra’s cricket career
Kalra’s playing career never really took off after the 2018 World Cup triumph. Soon after making his Delhi debut in 2019, he became embroiled in an age-fraud controversy.
The Delhi Police investigated allegations that incorrect information regarding his birth year had been submitted during his junior cricket days. According to the chargesheet filed later, Kalra was allegedly one year older than the age officially declared. This raised questions about his eligibility for the Under-19 World Cup itself. The controversy stalled his cricket career almost entirely. Kalra ended up playing only three professional matches, with his last appearance coming in 2021.
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