The former World Cup-winning captain (1996) of Sri Lanka, Arjun Ranatunga, has been in deep trouble after the new NPP government of Sri Lanka accused him of mismanaging the fuel deals during his tenure as the Petroleum minister. According to the investigations, Ranatunga's brother, Dhammika Ranatunga, who was the Chairman of the state-owned Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), and Ranatunga himself have been involved in cancelling long-term fuel procurement contracts in 2017. As per allegations, they opted for high-priced spot purchases that cost the country a massive loss of 800 million Sri Lankan rupees, which was approximately 5 million dollars at that time. Notably, Dhammika was arrested on December 16; however, he was released on bail with a travel ban imposed. Meanwhile, Arjun is yet to be arrested, as he is out of the country. The next court hearing for the case is scheduled for March 13, 2026. Here are the top 4 cricketers who were arrested in non-cricket issues: 1 | Imran Khan The former World Cup-winning Pakistan captain who has alsoserved as the prime minister of the country, Imran Khan is currently lodged in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, where he has remained incarcerated since August 2023 while battling multiple legal cases. Although Khan has secured bail or acquittal in several matters, he continues to remain behind bars due to convictions that are still active. The most significant case keeping him in prison is the Al-Qadir Trust case, in which an anti-corruption court sentenced him to 14 years in jail in January 2025 for allegedly receiving land as a bribe, while his wife Bushra Bibi was handed a seven-year sentence. Khan has also faced multiple Toshakhana cases related to the illegal sale or possession of state gifts, some of which resulted in convictions that were later suspended on appeal. He has been acquitted in the cipher case and the unlawful marriage case, while securing bail in several May 9 violence cases. As of December 2025, Khan remains imprisoned, with his family and party raising concerns over his health and conditions of detention as his legal team continues to pursue appeals. 2 | Kusal Mendis The Sri Lankan batter Kusal Mendis was arrested after he was involved in a fatal road accident in Pandura, a suburb of Colombo, in 2020. It happened in July, when Mendis' SUV hit a local resident, a 64-year-old riding a cycle. The victim was taken to the hospital, where he was declared dead. Mendis was arrested the same day and stayed at the Pandura Police station overnight. The next day, he was presented to a magistrate's court. The court allowed him to go free, after he provided two personal bail bonds, each worth 1 million Sri Lankan rupees. After investigations, it was found that Medis had fallen asleep. Later, Mendis agreed to pay one million rupees in compensation to the victim's wife and children. His driving licence was temporarily suspended, and he was asked to attend further court hearings. The case was later settled out of court, with no action taken by Sri Lanka Cricket. 3 | Navjot Singh Sidhu The Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu was involved in a road rage case dating back to 1988 that led to the death of a 65-year-old man, Gurnam Singh. The incident took place in Patiala after a dispute over a parked vehicle. The victim collapsed after Sidhy allegedly thrashed him and was declared dead at a hospital. The case dragged on for over three decades, moving through multiple courts. Sidhu was first acquitted in 1999, but the verdict was overturned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2006, which sentenced him to jail. He challenged the ruling and remained free on bail for years. In 2018, the Supreme Court convicted him but imposed only a fine, calling it lenient. After a review petition, the court sentenced Sidhu to one year of rigorous imprisonment in May 2022. He served nearly ten months and was released in April 2023. Since then, Sidhu has stayed away from active politics and returned to cricket commentary and digital media. 4 | Ian Botham The former England player Ian Botham got engaged in physical altercations with his fellow passengers on a flight in 1988. Botham was representing Queensland for the Sheffield Shield final and had taken an Ansett domestic flight for Perth. Botham and some of his teammates were playing loud music and using inappropriate language, which agitated some passengers. One of them protested which triggered Botham and had a verbal duel with him. He was alleged to have briefly grabbed the passenger. Police had arrested him from the team hotel but later has made him sign a bat before releasing him. It was the Australian legend Dennis Lillee who reportedly managed to bail him out with a six-pack of beer. Botham pleaded guilty in a Perth court and was fined £400 for assault and using obscene language. The Queensland Cricket Association terminated his contract for breaching the code of conduct. He left Australia soon after and never played first-class cricket there again.