Former India under-19 world cup-winning cricketer and Jaffna Kings co-owner Manjot Kalra has been remanded until July 31 after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court over an alleged match-fixing case.

Manjot Kalra was arrested by Sri Lanka Police over an alleged match-fixing approach made to a player.

Police said the arrest was carried out by the Special Investigation Unit for the Prevention of Offences Relating to Sports following an investigation under Sri Lanka’s anti-sports corruption laws.

The former left-handed opener was part of India’s victorious squad at the 2018 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, playing alongside future international stars including captain Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh and Shivam Mavi. Kalra played a key role in India’s title triumph, scoring an unbeaten century in the final against Australia.

He was announced as part of the ownership group of the Jaffna Kings franchise ahead of the 2026 Lanka Premier League season. (Newswire)

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Jaffna Kings announced today (15) that the team will come under the ownership of Sports Commune, led by Indian sports entrepreneurs Manjot Kalra and Mayank Goel, ahead of Lanka Premier League (LPL) Season 6.

The new ownership brings together cricketing experience, entrepreneurship, youth development, digital media and grassroots sports engagement. Through Sports Commune, the owners aim to strengthen Jaffna Kings as a competitive cricket franchise while building a wider sports platform that connects players, fans, young athletes and commercial partners across South Asia.

Manjot Kalra, Co-Founder of Sports Commune, is a former professional cricketer, sports entrepreneur, digital creator and podcast host based in Delhi, India. Having experienced the game as an athlete, he has built his post-playing career around sports development, content creation and athlete-focused engagement. Through his YouTube podcast platform, Second Innings with Manjot Kalra, he hosts conversations with cricketers, athletes and sports personalities, bringing deeper sporting stories and insights to a growing digital audience.

Mayank Goel, Co-Founder of Sports Commune, is an entrepreneur with interests across digital security, insurance and sports development. He is the Founder of Softsecure Infotech Pvt. Ltd., a company operating in the digital signature and cybersecurity space, and Shree Dhyan Insurance Brokers Private Limited, also known as Dhyan Se Bima. Alongside his corporate ventures, he has actively supported youth sports through cricket tournaments for teenagers and participation in corporate cricket leagues.

Welcoming the new ownership, Lanka Premier League Director, Samantha Dodanwela said, “Sri Lanka Cricket welcomes Sports Commune as the new ownership group of Jaffna Kings for Lanka Premier League Season 6. Jaffna Kings has built a strong identity within the league, and we are pleased to see committed owners with a clear interest in cricket, youth engagement and sports development stepping into the franchise. Their participation adds further strength to the league as we continue to build the LPL as a competitive and commercially sustainable T20 platform for Sri Lanka.”

The franchise will participate in the upcoming LPL season within the league ecosystem operated via the Innovative Production Group FZ, LLC platform, under Urban-Gro, Inc. and Flash Sports & Media, Inc. Jaffna Kings will operate under Sports Commune while aligning with the wider league structure and commercial opportunities created through the 2026 season.

Commenting on the development, IPG Global Founder and Chairman, Anil Mohan said, “The Lanka Premier League continues to attract owners who understand the value of cricket as both a sporting and entertainment property. Sports Commune brings a strong combination of cricketing knowledge, business experience and digital engagement, which is important for the next stage of franchise growth. We look forward to supporting Jaffna Kings as part of a season that will bring together strong competition, fan engagement and commercial opportunity.”

The new owners stated that their focus will be on building a disciplined, modern and connected franchise that reflects the spirit of Jaffna Kings while also investing in long-term sporting value. Further announcements on cricketing leadership, squad strategy, player confirmations and fan engagement initiatives will be made ahead of the tournament.

Sports Commune Co-Founder, Manjot Kalra said, “Jaffna Kings is a franchise with a strong cricketing identity and a passionate fan base. For us, this is an opportunity to bring together our experience in cricket, youth engagement, sports content and community building to support the next phase of the team’s journey. Our focus is to build a franchise that competes with discipline, connects meaningfully with fans and creates opportunities for young sporting talent.”

Sports Commune Co-Founder, Mayank Goel said, “Our investment in Jaffna Kings reflects a long-term belief in the Lanka Premier League and the growth potential of franchise cricket in the region. Sports Commune was built with a focus on creating structured sporting opportunities, especially for young athletes. Through Jaffna Kings, we hope to contribute to a professional, commercially strong and community-connected cricket platform.” (Newswire)

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Former Sri Lanka cricketer Thilina Kandamby has announced his decision to step down from the coaching unit of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) franchise, Jaffna Kings.

Kandamby served as the Head Coach of the Jaffna Kings, formerly known as Jaffna Stallions, which won the inaugural Lanka Premier League 2020 Championship.

Kandamby is considered a successful Head Coach of franchise cricket in Sri Lanka, as Jaffna Kings have become 3 times LPL winning Champions under his coaching.

However, last year the Jaffna Kings failed to qualify for the finals and were knocked out in the playoffs. 

Announcing his decision, Kandamby said, “It is time for new beginnings & fresh perspectives for both the franchise & myself.” (NewsWire)

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