Manjot Kalra arrested in Sri Lanka over ₹27 lakh bribery

Former India Under-19 World Cup-winning cricketer Manjot Kalra has been arrested in Sri Lanka over an alleged attempt to bribe a player during the 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL). According to Sri Lanka Police, Kalra allegedly offered Rs. 9.5 million (around ₹27 lakh) to influence the outcome of a match. The arrest was made in Colombo just hours before the start of the new LPL season.

The investigation began after a player reported the alleged bribery approach to the authorities nearly 10 days earlier. Police arrested Kalra at a five-star hotel in Colombo, and he is expected to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate's Court. The identity of the player involved has not been revealed, and the investigation is still ongoing.

Kalra, who was part of India's victorious 2018 Under-19 World Cup team alongside current Test captain Shubman Gill, is reportedly linked to the Jaffna Kings franchise. Authorities allege that he tried to influence players by offering money to manipulate match results. However, the allegations are under investigation, and no court has found him guilty at this stage.

Who is Manjot Kalra? The 2018 U-19 World Cup hero who was arrested hours before LPL 2026 opener

Manjot Kalra is a former India Under-19 cricketer who played a key role in India's 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup triumph. He scored an unbeaten century in the final against Australia, helping India lift the title under the captaincy of Prithvi Shaw. Kalra shared the dressing room with future stars such as Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi, and was also part of the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) setup in the IPL.

After stepping away from professional cricket, Kalra moved into sports entrepreneurship. Earlier this year, he became part of the ownership group of the Lanka Premier League franchise Jaffna Kings. However, his name has now come under the spotlight after Sri Lankan authorities arrested him over an alleged attempt to bribe a player ahead of the 2026 LPL season.

According to investigators, a player reported the alleged approach to the authorities around 10 days before the tournament, leading to an official investigation. The court was told that the complaint was filed by Sri Lankan cricketers, including Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dunith Wellalage, along with two other players. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations are yet to be proven in court.

How the alleged ₹27 lakh bribery plot unfolded — and Kalra's Jaffna Kings connection

According to Sri Lanka Police, the investigation began after a player reported an alleged bribery approach around 10 days before the start of the 2026 Lanka Premier League. The complaint led investigators to Manjot Kalra, who was arrested at a five-star hotel in Colombo. Authorities have not revealed the identity of the player, and the investigation is still ongoing.

The arrest took place on the opening day of the 2026 LPL, with Kalra's franchise, Jaffna Kings, scheduled to face Galle Gladiators in the tournament opener. The five-team competition features 24 matches and is set to conclude on August 8. Despite the incident, the tournament has continued as planned.

Kalra, 27, was arrested by the Police Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports and was remanded in custody until July 31 by a Colombo magistrate. Another Indian national, Yuvraj Pushpa, was also arrested in connection with the case and remanded. The allegations come at a time when the LPL has been under increased scrutiny over corruption-related issues in recent years.

How Sri Lanka Cricket responded after the LPL bribery case

Following the arrest of Manjot Kalra, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that the 2026 Lanka Premier League would continue as scheduled. The board said it has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and unethical practices and will fully cooperate with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) during the investigation.

SLC also stated that its Anti-Corruption Unit and independent integrity partner, Integrity Mentors, are working closely to protect the integrity of the tournament. The board assured fans and stakeholders that every necessary step is being taken to ensure the competition remains fair and transparent.

Although the alleged bribery case has cast a shadow over the start of the 2026 LPL, the tournament has continued without interruption. Meanwhile, Kalra and his associate remain in judicial custody as the investigation continues. The authorities are expected to gather more evidence before the case moves further in court.