Ex-India U19 Cricketer Manjot Kalra Arrested For Match Fixing

Former India Under-19 World Cup winner Manjot Kalra was arrested in Sri Lanka on Thursday night for allegedly attempting to bribe a player to fix a Lanka Premier League (LPL) match. The arrest was made just hours before the start of the 2026 LPL season.

According to Sri Lanka Police, Kalra attempted to pay around ₹27 lakh to influence the outcome of a match. The player reported the alleged approach nearly 10 days ago, triggering an investigation that led to Kalra's arrest at a five-star hotel in Colombo.

Kalra is expected to be produced before the Colombo Magistrate's Court as investigations continue. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the player involved. Kalra was a key member of India's victorious 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup squad led by Prithvi Shaw, which also included Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, and Shivam Mavi.

The 2018 Under-19 World Cup was a notable tournament for Kalra, as he scored an unbeaten century in the final against Australia. He was also part of the Delhi Daredevils set up in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ahead of the 2026 LPL season, Kalra had been announced as part of the ownership group of the Jaffna Kings franchise.

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board has confirmed that the Lanka Premier League will begin as scheduled at the SSC Grounds in Colombo. The board reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and said it would fully cooperate with the investigation. SLC also highlighted that its Anti-Corruption Unit and independent integrity partner, Integrity Mentors, are actively working to safeguard the tournament.

The arrest of Kalra has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, with many expressing disappointment and concern over the alleged match-fixing attempt. The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in cricket.

The Lanka Premier League is a prominent T20 tournament in Sri Lanka, featuring top players from around the world. The tournament has attracted significant attention and interest, with many fans eagerly awaiting the start of the season. However, the match-fixing scandal has cast a shadow over the tournament, and it remains to be seen how the incident will affect the league's reputation and integrity.

The investigation into the alleged match-fixing attempt is ongoing, and it is likely that more details will emerge in the coming days. For now, the cricketing community is left to ponder the implications of the scandal and the measures that can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

The significance of this incident extends beyond the cricketing world, as it highlights the need for vigilance and strict anti-corruption measures in all sports. The incident serves as a reminder that corruption can have far-reaching consequences and that it is essential to maintain the integrity of sports at all levels.

In conclusion, the arrest of Manjot Kalra for alleged match-fixing has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community, raising concerns about the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures and the integrity of the sport. As the investigation continues, it is essential to remember the importance of maintaining the integrity of sports and the need for vigilance in preventing corruption.