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.  

India batter Devdutt Padikkal produced another outstanding performance against Sri Lanka, scoring 117 runs off 193 balls with 12 fours in the second Test. His century continued a remarkable run after his 167 in the opening Test at Galle. Padikkal has now broken Rahul Dravid’s record for the most runs by an Indian batter in a two-match away Test series. He also became the first visiting-team batter to score multiple centuries while batting at No. 3 in a two-match Test series in Sri Lanka. His consistent performances have strengthened India’s batting and established Padikkal as one of the series’ standout performers. (PC: AFP)

India face Argentina in a crucial do-or-die Hockey World Cup clash on August 24, with their semifinal hopes dependent on both a big victory and favourable results elsewhere. India suffered a 1-3 defeat against the Netherlands, leaving them without points in Pool E. Argentina’s 3-1 win over England, however, kept India mathematically alive. India must beat Argentina by at least three goals and then hope the Netherlands defeat England to improve their goal difference. Captain Harmanpreet Singh, joint tournament top-scorer with six goals, will lead the challenge. Coach Craig Fulton stressed the need for sharper attacking play and greater efficiency. (PC: Hockey India)

India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was involved in a heated exchange with Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando after his dismissal in the second Test in Colombo. Jaiswal scored 45 off 53 balls, hitting nine fours, before Fernando dismissed him with a delivery that deflected onto the stumps. Fernando gave the Indian batter an animated send-off, leading to an exchange of words. Jaiswal then appeared to make slight head contact with Fernando as the two came face-to-face. Sri Lankan players quickly stepped in to separate them. India lost both openers early after a promising start. (PC: India Today)

India’s men’s hockey team crashed out of the FIH World Cup semifinal race after losing 1-3 to reigning Olympic champions Netherlands in Amstelveen on Saturday. India defended strongly in the first half, but Duco Telgenkamp, Tjep Hoedemakers and Thijs van Dam scored to seal the Dutch victory. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored India’s only goal from a penalty corner in the 52nd minute. India needed a win to keep their semifinal hopes alive but remain without points in the second round. They will face Argentina on Monday before playing the fifth-eighth place classification matches. (PC: X)