U19 World Cup Winner Manjot Kalra Remains In Custody As Sri Lankan Court Rejects Bail Plea

U19 World Cup Winner Manjot Kalra Remains In Custody As Sri Lankan Court Rejects Bail Plea

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Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 20:32 IST

Manjot Kalra's bail denied in Sri Lanka match-fixing case. Jaffna Kings ownership terminated, LPL team stabilised after financial problems.

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Former India U-19 batter Manjot Kalra

India’s U19 World Cup-winning cricketer Manjot Kalra found no respite from his legal ordeal in Sri Lanka after his bail plea was rejected by a court following an arrest due to match-fixing charges. He is the co-owner of the Jaffna Kings franchise and was nabbed earlier this month.

Kalra and Yuvraj Pushpa, who were remanded in custody on July 17 until July 31, had sought early bail before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Their lawyer, K.W.S. Fernando, sought bail because both accused were unwell. But the prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the Sri Lanka Police Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports was still holding its investigation.

The magistrate rejected the bail application, permitting the remand order to continue.

The alleged corruption complaint was filed by Sri Lanka internationals Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dunith Wellalage. The court was also informed that two more domestic players had since joined the complaint.

The Lanka Premier League, featuring five teams and 24 games, is being held from July 17 to Saturday, August 8.

Meanwhile, Innovative Production Group, the rights holder of the Lanka Premier League and Sri Lanka Cricket, terminated their team agreement with Sports Commune last week.

The move strips the team of Jaffna Kings ownership after Kalra’s arrest and the subsequent collapse of the team’s financial structure.

To stabilise the team, IPG and SLC have taken control of all cricketer, coaching and support-staff contracts. The intervention has helped address the team’s financial problems, after Sports Commune couldn’t release sponsorship payments, forcing cricketers to cover sponsor logos on their jerseys with black tape during their July 22 game.

Since then, emergency funds have been released to clear almost 90% of outstanding cricketer and staff salaries, while IPG has committed to settling the remaining dues within the timelines outlined in the contracts.

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First Published: July 27, 2026, 20:28 IST

News cricket U19 World Cup Winner Manjot Kalra Remains In Custody As Sri Lankan Court Rejects Bail Plea

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