New Delhi: Former India Under-19 World Cup winner Manjot Kala Sri Lankan sports anti-corruption investigators were arrested on Friday for allegedly trying to bribe a player during the Sri Lanka Premier League (LPL), news agency PTI reported.Kalra, who scored the winning goal in the 2018 ICC U-19 World Cup final in India, was detained by the police’s Sports Crime Prevention Special Investigation Team. He was later brought before a magistrate.The 27-year-old was part of Prithvi Shaw’s 2018 U-19 World Cup-winning squad for India. The team also included future India internationals Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Maavi. Kala was the hero of the final, scoring an unbeaten 101 as India defeated Australia to lift the trophy.According to Sri Lankan police, Kara is accused of providing money to a player associated with the Sri Lanka Premier League.The arrests occurred hours before the game started. Kalra is one of the co-owners of the Jaffna Kings franchise.
Suspected bribery attempt
The 27-year-old entered sports entrepreneurship after his playing career ended and became an investor in Jaffna Kings earlier this year. The player who was allegedly approached notified authorities of the incident about 10 days later, which ultimately led to Kalra’s arrest on Friday, according to investigators.Police said the complaint was lodged by Sri Lankan cricketers Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dunith Wellalage. All three represent the Jaffna Kings of the LPL.Kalra’s arrest comes on the opening day of the 2026 Sri Lanka Premier League, with Jaffna Kings scheduled to face Galantes at the SSC Stadium in Colombo.The five-team competition has a total of 24 games and will end on August 8.
Sri Lanka Cricket Association’s response
Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement that it was aware of reports of Kalra’s arrest and would fully cooperate with the Special Investigation Team for the Prevention of Sports-Related Crime if any assistance is sought during the investigation.The board also stated that the game will go on as scheduled without any interruption.Sri Lanka Cricket has reiterated its “zero tolerance” policy against corruption and unethical conduct, saying it remains committed to protecting the integrity of the Sri Lanka Premier League.
