Former India U-19 cricketer, co-owner of Jaffna Kings, continues to be investigated for another possible match-fixing attempt.Former India U-19 cricketer and Jaffna Kings co-owner is still under investigation for a possible approach to match-fixing.
Former India Under-19 World Cup winning cricketer and Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra has been remanded in custody before a Colombo court, pending court proceedings on July 31 in an alleged corruption case connected with the upcoming 2026 Lanka Premier League (LPL).
Kalra was arrested by the Sri Lanka’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports within the span of few hours of the first game of LPL 2026. The court has now ordered him to continue to be detained pending further investigation.
Alleged approach to Sri Lankan players
The investigators alleged in court that they had faced offers from Kalra, in an attempt to influence matches during the tournament, of more than US$30,000 to international players of the Sri Lanka team, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage, and Avishka Fernando.
The court was told that the police investigation is based on mobile phone calls and video recordings, which they say are part of the evidence they are looking at in the case.
Defense rejects corruption allegations
The lawyers for Kalra strongly refute the allegations, stating that the former cricketer has been involved in no corrupt activities.
Even after the defense made arguments, the court stated that Kalra will stay in custody till 31st July to give investigators more time to carry out their investigations.
There are no formal charges and no verdict has been announced, and the investigation is continuing.
Sri Lanka Cricket extends full support
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reiterated its efforts to uphold the integrity of the Lanka Premier League following the arrest.
The board said it is cooperating completely with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and is going to assist in any way that may be needed during the investigation. SLC also restated its zero tolerance towards match fixing and corruption in domestic cricket.
LPL continues despite off-field controversy
The investigation has spoiled the tournament but officials have confirmed that Lanka Premier League 2026 will continue as planned.
In the aftermath of the case, it has become once again clear how necessary robust anti-corruption mechanisms are in franchise cricket, and how authorities have continued to work diligently to ensure the integrity of one of Sri Lanka’s biggest T20 cricket competitions as the legal proceedings roll on.
