Former India Under-19 player Manjot Kalra released a statement denying match-fixing allegations and corruption charges. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court remanded Kalra in custody until July 31 following his arrest for alleged match-fixing.
Former India Under-19 cricketer and Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra will remain in custody until July 31 in an alleged corruption case linked to the 2026 Lanka Premier League. pic.twitter.com/hVwoVoAZL9
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) July 19, 2026
Sri Lankan police arrested the former India Under-19 star on July 16, just hours before the Lanka Premier League 2026 season opener. Prosecutors accuse Kalra, a co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise, of trying to bribe international cricketers to influence match results.
Details of match-fixing scandal in LPL 2026
Kalra was arrested by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) for Prevention of Offences relating to Sports following intelligence of corrupt approaches. Specifically, authorities claim Kalra attempted to manipulate games in the sixth edition of Sri Lanka’s premier T20 league. The court heard that Kalra remains a primary suspect in a scheme to alter match proceedings for financial gain.
The investigators said that the co-owner of the Jaffna Kings has strong evidence against him. The evidence reportedly includes recorded phone calls and video footage collected during the first phase of the investigation. The Chief Magistrate dismissed Kalra’s bail plea to ensure no interference with the ongoing investigation.
Specific Allegations and Player Involvement
The prosecution stated that Kalra allegedly targeted several high-profile Sri Lankan international players who play for the Jaffna Kings. The players include Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dunith Wellalage and Avishka Fernando. Court documents allege Kalra paid these athletes more than USD 30,000 to guarantee specific results during the tournament.
Following the alleged approach, the cricketers immediately contacted the SIU to report the incident. On instructions from the authorities, the players negotiated a payment of LKR 11.5 million with a promised advance of LKR 9.5 million. Police eventually arrested Kalra and an unnamed associate after the associate brought a bag containing the cash to a pre-arranged location.
Manjot Kalra Official Statement and Defense
Manjot Kalra broke his silence with a formal statement. His legal team published the statement on July 19. Kalra stated that he’s “fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation”. Furthermore, he explained that “the facts will establish his innocence and clear his name”.
The legal team denied all allegations of corruption in LPL 2026. Furthermore, Kalra expressed full confidence that the facts would eventually prove his innocence and clear his reputation.
His legal team, led by Senior Counsel Mr. K. Wasantha S. Fernando, argues that the claims lack proper evidence. Therefore, they intend to challenge the prosecution’s version of events in subsequent hearings. Kalra’s team also stated that he entered the league as a minority shareholder in good faith after passing all required background checks.
Legal Team Challenges the Prosecution’s Evidence
The defence counsel asserted that Kalra understands the integrity expected of an Indian sportsman and has always committed to those values. Meanwhile, Kalra will remain in police custody to ensure the investigation continues without hindrance.
Also, his lawyers said they are committed to bringing to light the real perpetrators of this situation. They believe someone fixed Kalra into this undesirable position. Karla will not make any statements or public comments for now.
Sri Lanka Cricket Response to Corruption Charges
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) reacted quickly to the news of the arrest. The governing body said it had a zero tolerance policy towards any form of corruption or match fixing. Therefore, SLC is fully cooperating with SIU and independent anti-corruption units to maintain the integrity of the league.
The sixth edition of the LPL is still going ahead despite the controversy but with stricter security and monitoring protocols. All participating teams have been put under strict anti-corruption surveillance by officials to ensure fair play. The Galle Gallants sit atop the tournament standings, with the Jaffna Kings having one win and one loss in the meantime.
Impact on the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026
The scandal broke just as the LPL 2026 season started with a match between the Jaffna Kings and the Galle Gallants. The Kings lost that opening fixture by 36 runs. Although the league continues, the arrest of a franchise owner has cast a shadow over the event.
The LPL remains one of the most popular T20 leagues in Asia, and authorities want to keep it clean. Therefore, they are taking these allegations very seriously to maintain fan trust. The court expects Kalra to appear again on July 31.
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