Former India U19 Player Manjot Kalra Denies LPL 2026 Fixing Allegations After Arrest: Report
Former India U-19 player Manjot Kalra, co-owner of Jaffna Kings, was arrested in Colombo on July 17, 2026, for alleged match-fixing in LPL 2026 and remanded until July 31. Sources close to Kalra strongly deny the charges, which involve allegedly offering a player ₹9.5 million. Sri Lanka Cricket has vowed a zero-tolerance approach to corruption as the.
Former India Under-19 cricketer Manjot Kalra, now a co-owner of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise Jaffna Kings, was arrested on Friday, July 17, 2026, in Colombo on serious allegations of attempting to bribe a player. Kalra, 28, was apprehended at a five-star hotel just hours before the LPL 2026 season was set to commence. While Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed his remand in judicial custody until July 31, sources close to Kalra vehemently deny the fixing allegations, asserting his innocence.
As reported by cricinfo, the arrest, executed by the Police Special Investigation Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports, follows an alleged attempt by Kalra to offer a player INR 9.5 million (approximately US$28,700) to influence an upcoming LPL fixture. An unnamed player reportedly alerted authorities about the approach approximately ten days prior, leading to the sting operation. Another Indian national, Yuvraj Pushpa, was also arrested in connection with the case and has been remanded alongside Kalra.
LPL 2026 Proceeds Amidst Scandal
Despite the significant disruption caused by the arrests, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has affirmed that the Lanka Premier League 2026 tournament will proceed as scheduled. In an official statement, the governing body reiterated its 'zero-tolerance approach to corruption and unethical practices' and pledged its full cooperation with the SIU. The tournament, the sixth edition of the LPL, began on July 17, 2026, and is slated to conclude with the final on August 8, 2026.
Manjot Kalra's Background and Prior Controversies
Manjot Kalra rose to prominence after his match-winning century for India in the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup final. However, his career has also seen past controversies, including a one-year suspension from the Ranji Trophy in January 2020 due to age fraud allegations, though this decision was later overturned. Kalra, born on January 15, 1998, transitioned into sports entrepreneurship after his active involvement in professional cricket concluded around March 2021. His current role as co-owner of the Jaffna Kings marks a significant step in his post-playing career.
The LPL has faced corruption allegations in previous editions as well, with the British owner of the Dambulla Thunders franchise, Tamim Rahman, receiving a four-year suspended sentence in January 2026 for attempting to influence a player and organize betting. The ongoing investigation into Manjot Kalra and Yuvraj Pushpa highlights Sri Lanka's robust efforts under its 2019 anti-corruption law to safeguard the integrity of sports.
This incident underscores the continuous challenges faced by cricketing leagues worldwide in upholding transparency and preventing corruption, even as authorities strengthen their resolve to protect the sport's integrity.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 19, 2026 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
