Fifteen-year-old Indian chess player Vandan Alankar Sawai pulled off a stunning victory over former world champion Magnus Carlsen in an online game. Sawai defeated the Norwegian chess great in 50 moves and later said he was shocked when Carlsen made a crucial blunder. The teenager seized the opportunity and converted his advantage to register one of the biggest wins of his young career. The victory has drawn attention across the chess world, highlighting the growing strength of India's young players and their ability to challenge the sport's biggest names. (PC: India Today)

Actor and motorsport enthusiast Ajith Kumar escaped unhurt after his racing car spun off the track during the Michelin Le Mans Cup race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. The incident took place at Turn 11 on August 22, when his No. 16 Ligier went into the gravel, prompting the Safety Car to be deployed. Ajith was competing in the LMP3 Pro/Am category for Ajith RedAnt by Virage. Despite the scare, the actor suffered no injuries. Ajith has previously survived several racing accidents and continues to compete in international motorsport events alongside his film career. (PC: Deccan Herald)

The football used by Diego Maradona to score his famous “Hand of God” goal at the 1986 World Cup has sold at auction for £2.5 million. Maradona punched the ball past England goalkeeper Peter Shilton during Argentina’s 2-1 quarter-final victory. He later scored the iconic “Goal of the Century” in the same match. The Adidas Azteca ball, kept by Tunisian referee Ali Bin Nasser for more than three decades, was sold by Heritage Auctions in the United States. It previously sold for £1.74 million in 2022. The price, however, fell short of the expected £7.3 million. (PC: BBC)

India’s men’s hockey team crashed out of the FIH World Cup semifinal race after suffering a 3-5 defeat against Argentina in their second-round pool match in Amstelveen, Netherlands, on Monday. India needed a victory by at least two goals to remain in contention but failed to control the match. Argentina’s Tomas Domene and Joaquin Toscani scored two goals each, while Nicolas della Torre added another. For India, Sukhjeet Singh scored twice through field efforts, while Hardik Singh converted a penalty stroke. Sukhjeet found the net in the 34th and 58th minutes, while Hardik scored in the 36th minute. The defeat ended India’s hopes of reaching the World Cup semifinals. (PC: Hockey India/X) 

Harry Kane has become the first Englishman to win Germany's Footballer of the Year award. The Bayern Munich and England captain received 272 votes after scoring 61 goals in all competitions last season. Kane helped Bayern win the Bundesliga and German Cup double and reach the Champions League semi-finals. Bayern teammate Michael Olise finished second with 203 votes. The award is organised by Kicker magazine and voted for by members of the German Sports Journalists Association. Bayern coach Vincent Kompany was named Coach of the Year, while captain Giulia Gwinn won the women's award. (PC: BBC)

Twenty-one former international cricket captains, including India greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have renewed an appeal to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking “humane treatment and proper medical care” for former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan. The August 23 letter follows concerns over Khan’s health and developments surrounding a court-directed medical examination. The 73-year-old has spent more than three years in custody. The latest appeal expands an earlier letter sent six months ago by 14 former international captains, with seven additional former captains joining the group. The signatories said their intervention was driven by their shared history with Khan on the cricket field and urged Pakistan’s government to ensure his welfare. (PC: Reuters)

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane has revealed that he is a big fan of the Indian Premier League, saying he enjoys following the popular cricket tournament. Kane also spoke about the strong support he receives from Indian football fans, including those who follow him and Bayern Munich from afar. The 33-year-old is currently among the leading contenders in the Ballon d'Or race after another impressive season. Kane said the growing global reach of football allows players to connect with supporters across different countries. His comments highlight the strong connection between Indian sports fans and international football stars. (PC: NDTV)

Edmund Lalrindika scored a stunning hat-trick as East Bengal defeated arch-rivals Mohun Bagan 4-1 to win the Durand Cup on Sunday. The victory ended East Bengal's 22-year wait for the trophy, their last title coming in 2004. Bipin Singh opened the scoring before Lalrindika struck three times in a dominant first-half display. Manvir Singh scored Mohun Bagan's only goal, but the Mariners failed to mount a comeback. Under coach Antonio Lopez Habas, East Bengal produced a disciplined performance to lift their 17th Durand Cup title, drawing level with Mohun Bagan in the competition's all-time title standings. (PC: NDTV)

Manchester City and Norway star Erling Haaland has unveiled a dramatic new look, cutting off his signature long blonde hair and debuting a buzzcut. The 26-year-old shared the transformation on social media, saying it was “time to get a fresh start” as the new season begins. Haaland said he had planned to cut his hair after the 2026 World Cup but delayed the change due to a busy schedule. His girlfriend, Isabel Haugseng Johansen, praised the new look, while teammates Jack Grealish and Zlatan Ibrahimović were left surprised. Haaland's long hairstyle had gone viral during the World Cup.  

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised Yashasvi Jaiswal for his heated clash with Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando during the second Test in Colombo. The incident happened after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45. Fernando appeared to give Jaiswal a send-off as he walked back. Jaiswal then turned around and confronted the bowler. The two exchanged words, clashed heads and were involved in a brief push before Sri Lankan players separated them. Manjrekar said Jaiswal “crossed the line” and should have kept his cool. He added that the match referee should take serious note of the physical contact.