Former U19 Star Manjot Kalra Becomes Owner of LPL Franchise Jaffna Kings
A New Chapter for Manjot Kalra
The landscape of professional cricket has evolved significantly, turning young talents into household names and providing life-changing opportunities through franchise leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL). While stars like Prithvi Shaw, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja have become synonymous with this transition, other promising careers have taken vastly different paths. Manjot Kalra, once a shining light of Indian youth cricket, has recently made headlines by shifting from the playing field to the boardroom as the new co-owner of the Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).
The 2018 U19 World Cup Pipeline
Following India’s triumphant run at the 2018 ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, several standout players were immediately fast-tracked into the professional circuit. The Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) moved quickly to secure the services of Prithvi Shaw, Abhishek Sharma, and Manjot Kalra. At that time, it seemed as though all three were destined for greatness.
While Shaw and Sharma successfully navigated the challenges of domestic and franchise cricket, Kalra’s journey faced immediate roadblocks. Despite being bought for INR 20 lakh in his maiden IPL season, Kalra struggled to find his footing. His performance in the 2018 U19 tournament had been nothing short of spectacular, where he finished with 252 runs in five innings at a staggering average of 84.00, including a match-winning century in the final against Australia.
Overcoming Professional Setbacks
Kalra’s professional momentum was severely hindered in 2020 when he faced a one-year suspension by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) due to age-fraud allegations. Although the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) eventually lifted the ban shortly after, the damage to his professional trajectory was significant. He attempted a return to the domestic circuit in 2021 but only managed a single Ranji Trophy appearance for Delhi, marking a quiet phase in his career.
From Batter to Business Owner
In the years following his stint in the IPL, Kalra transitioned toward content creation and sports management. Currently, he manages the popular YouTube channel Second Innings with Manjot Kalra, where he provides a platform for budding cricketers to share their stories. However, his most significant move to date is his acquisition of the Jaffna Kings franchise for the 2026 season of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), in partnership with entrepreneur Mayank Goel.
Reflecting on this transition, Kalra stated, “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.”
The Legacy of Jaffna Kings
The Jaffna Kings represent the pinnacle of the LPL, having claimed four out of the five titles in the league’s history. The franchise has seen several ownership changes since its inception as the Jaffna Stallions in 2020. After the original consortium faced financial issues, the Lyca Group took control in 2021, operating the team for four seasons before their contract was terminated ahead of the 2025 season due to a failure to meet financial obligations.
With the league set to return from July 8 to August 8, 2026, the arrival of Sports Commune—led by Kalra and Goel—marks a new era for the team. As the draft for the 2026 season approaches on May 23, fans of the Jaffna Kings are waiting to see how the new ownership will shape the roster and future of their championship-winning side.
The story of Manjot Kalra is a reminder that while the path of a professional athlete is rarely a straight line, the lessons learned on the field can prepare players for success in entirely new arenas. Whether through his digital media ventures or his foray into cricket administration, Kalra continues to remain a pivotal figure in the sport.
