![Manjot Kalra controversies [Source: BCCI, AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1784375873483_ManjotKalra.jpg?type=hq)
Manjot Kalra controversies [Source: BCCI, AFP]
Once one of India’s up-and-coming opening batter, Manjot Kalra was arrested by Sri Lankan police on Friday under match-fixing allegations in the ongoing Lanka Premier League.
The former India U19 star is currently one of the co-owners of the Jaffna Kings franchise after ending his playing career prematurely. This comes after the left-handed batter had racked up an unbeaten 101 off 102 against Australia in the final, where Shubman Gill and Prithvi Shaw also featured in the playing XI.
Notably, this is not the first time Kalra is under the scanner for controversial reasons. Post the U19 World Cup triumph, he has found himself in such unwanted situations often, which eventually drove him away from the field. Below is a brief look at how a promising career went completely off track while his batchmates continue to thrive on the biggest stage.
Controversies That Derailed Manjot Kalra's Promising Young Career
1. Skipping Delhi U19 Training Caused a Stir
According to The Indian Express, in the winter of 2017, Manjot Kalra, who was appointed as Delhi U19 captain at the time, skipped the team’s first training ahead of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. He was asked to produce all age-proof documents in their original form, which caused a stir early in his career.
Also Read: MS Dhoni's Infamous Rotation Policy Returns To Haunt As Rohit Sharma Faces The Axe
2. Questions over commitment during DC days
The left-handed opener received his first IPL contract in the IPL 2018 auction right after the U19 World Cup heroics, after the Delhi Capitals swooped him for INR 20 Lakh. He remained an understudy to senior pros for a couple of seasons.
However, despite the talent and promise, as per journalist Kushan Sarkar, he built a reputation of being insincere during his time at the franchise and also skipped the team’s training session. He never received his IPL debut and was subsequently released by his home franchise.
3. Age-fraud scandal
In 2020, Kalra faced the most shocking jolt of his playing career. About two years after winning the U19 World Cup, just when Kalra was trying to find his feet in Delhi’s senior team, he faced a 1-year suspension from the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA).
The then-outgoing Ombudsman Justice Badr Durrez Ahmed passed the order, denying Kalra from playing any age-group cricket for a year and the Ranji Trophy that season. The batter was alleged to have committed age fraud during his U16 and U19 days. According to some reports, he was 22 during his time with the India U19 team in 2018.
4. Suspicious investment in LPL
After Kalra’s playing career ended, he started doing YouTube podcasts, while his family owned a wholesale fruit and vegetable shop in Azadpur Mandi in Delhi. Yet, he managed to generate funds to invest in Jaffna Kings — considered to be shady among the cricketing circles.
5. Match fixing allegations
The latest and most problematic controversy for the former cricketer and Jaffna Kings co-owner came on Friday when Sri Lankan police took him in custody in Colombo. Sri Lanka’s sports anti-corruption investigators alleged him of bribing a player to influence the matches, and he was produced before a magistrate.
As per the authorities, the player who was approached by Kalra reported the situation to them approximately 10 days after the alleged bribery attempt. Prominent names like Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando and Dunith Wellalage were the ones who filed the complaint against Kalra.
Batchmates continue to fly; Manjot Kalra in trenches
The India U19 batch of 2018 promised to be among one of the best of recent times. Their captain Prithvi Shaw went on to represent India in all three formats soon after the U19 days and scored a century on Test debut and continues to be around the IPL and Maharashtra domestic team after a couple of tough years.
The most impressive name from the batch turned out to be Shubman Gill, who is now India's captain in Tests and ODIs as well as Gujarat Titans' skipper and continues to show his class, having scored centuries in all three formats. He currently averages 60 after 66 ODIs and 44.31 after 41 Tests.
Fellow left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma is among the most feared T20 batters in the world with a T20 World Cup title to his name earlier in 2026. He was also the world number 1 batter in the format and also made his name in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Unfortunately, Manjot Kalra, despite showing potential in his short career, failed to live up to expectations, and his career went south as he now finds himself in probably the worst situation an athlete can be in. It remains to be seen whether the allegations against him turn out to be true and what the implications of this crime are.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma's Retirement Should Be Celebrated, Kapil Dev Explains Why
