hb2k.com – Daily Briefings & General Coverage

Gill may skip Duleep Trophy

The Indian Test skipper is reportedly unwell and is currently resting at his home in Chandigarh

Tejas Shirse wins 110m hurdles gold but misses World Championships mark

At the Inter-State Athletics meet in Chennai, athletes struggled to meet World Championships qualification marks for the third day, hampered by rain. Tejas Shirse won the 110m hurdles but his time wasn't enough to improve his standings. Karthik U secured a triple jump gold with a season-best, while Aboobacker's performance positions him for a potential spot at the Worlds.

Harry Kane hat-trick inspires Bayern Munich’s ruthless 6-0 win over RB Leipzig

Bayern Munich initiated their Bundesliga title defense emphatically, crushing Leipzig 6-0 in Berlin. Harry Kane showcased his brilliance with a hat trick, while Michael Olise contributed two goals. Luis Díaz marked his Bundesliga debut with a goal and two assists, solidifying Bayern's dominant performance and signaling their strong intent for the season.

US President Donald Trump unveils venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw in December

President Trump announced the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will be held at the Kennedy Center, during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Trump joked about keeping the World Cup trophy and suggested Vladimir Putin might attend. He assured easy visa access for most fans, despite stricter rules for some nations, highlighting safety measures for the event in Washington.

Chess | 'It wasn't Gukesh's fault that Magnus Carlsen walked away': Susan Polgar after Garry Kasparov's jab at world champion

Garry Kasparov ignited controversy by suggesting Gukesh's world title lacks the prestige of past champions, despite Gukesh winning fairly. He implied Magnus Carlsen's era redefined the title's significance, prompting strong defence from Susan Polgar, who highlighted Gukesh's Candidates Tournament victory and criticised double standards. Gukesh continues to face intense scrutiny as he competes in the Sinquefield Cup.

Watch: Swing king Bhuvneshwar Kumar bamboozles batters in UP T20 League

Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned to his best in the UP T20 League on Friday. Playing against Gaur Gorakhpur Lions, the RCB star delivered a riveting opening spell.

Inspired by Shubman Gill, T20 maverick Priyansh Arya eyes red-ball stint

Priyansh Arya has continued his rapid rise with another brilliant season in the Delhi Premier League 2025. However, his aspirations are far beyond just hitting humongous sixes in T20 cricket.

Lionel Messi's trip to India finally confirmed: Argentina to play international friendly in Kerala

Lionel Messi's Argentina is set to arrive in India in November. They will play a friendly game in Kerala, the Argentine Football Association announced on Saturday, August 23.

D Gukesh under fire again! Chess legend Garry Kasparov: 'You can hardly call him the strongest player in the world'

Garry Kasparov commented on Gukesh's recent world championship win during the Sinquefield Cup. Kasparov acknowledged Gukesh's victory but questioned his status as the strongest player. He contrasted Gukesh's title with those of past champions like Magnus Carlsen. Kasparov later apologised while standing by his opinion. He highlighted the excitement for future Candidates and world championship matches.

IPL: RCB finally reveals why they let go of Mohammed Siraj – Here’s the reason

Royal Challengers Bengaluru clinched their first IPL title in 2025, marking a new era after a mega auction. Strategic signings like Josh Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bolstered their squad, leading to Mohammed Siraj's departure. Director Mo Bobat highlighted the tough decision to release Siraj, prioritizing Bhuvneshwar's versatility.

NorthEast United vs Diamond Harbour in Durand Cup final; Indians at Asian Shooting C'ship; Gukesh Pragg in Sinquefield Cup: Indian Sports LIVE, August 23

Here are all the updates from Indian sport on August 23, 2025.

Watch: Donald Trump cracks up Oval Office with FIFA World Cup Trophy joke

US President Donald Trump joked about keeping the FIFA World Cup trophy during a meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. He refused to give the solid gold trophy back, cracking up the entire Oval Office.

Watch: Novak Djokovic's cute moment with lemonade girl wins hearts at US Open

US Open: Novak Djokovic is set to play in the US Open. Before the tournament, Djokovic interacted with a young fan - Emerie - who posed as a lemonade seller.

No Cole Palmer, no problem! Chelsea thrash West Ham 5-1 to pile pressure on former boss Graham Potter

Chelsea defeated West Ham 5-1 after an initial setback. Lucas Paqueta scored first for West Ham. Joao Pedro, Pedro Neto, and Enzo Fernandez responded for Chelsea. Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah further extended Chelsea's lead. Cole Palmer missed the match due to injury. Estevao debuted for Chelsea. Graham Potter faces pressure after the defeat.

Stuck in Mumbai traffic! Rohit Sharma’s reaction to fan on camera goes viral - Watch

Amidst Mumbai's traffic, Rohit Sharma's humble gesture towards fans went viral, showcasing his down-to-earth nature. BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla addressed speculations about farewell matches for Sharma and Virat Kohli, clarifying that retirement decisions rest solely with the players. Both stars, now focused on ODIs, will next play in Australia this October.

'Jasprit Bumrah gave up burgers, pizzas, milkshakes overnight': Former India coach reveals secret - Watch

Jasprit Bumrah's dedication to cricket is evident in his disciplined lifestyle. Former bowling coach Bharat Arun highlighted Bumrah's instant commitment to healthy habits, forsaking junk food to enhance his bowling. This sacrifice, coupled with his unique action, has made him a crucial asset for India, carefully managed to ensure his availability for major tournaments like the Asia Cup.

US Open: After conquering grass, Iga Swiatek looks to crack the hardcourt code

Iga Swiatek enters the 2025 US Open revived, having bounced back from a turbulent start to the season with a maiden Wimbledon crown and a dominant Cincinnati title. Back up to World No. 2, she now chases hardcourt glory in New York to reaffirm her all-surface dominance.

BCCI vice president Rajeev Shukla makes huge remark: 'We won't ask Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to retire' - Watch

BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla addressed concerns about farewell matches for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, clarifying that both are actively playing ODIs. He emphasised that retirement decisions rest with the players and the board doesn't interfere. Discussions about farewells are premature, given their current fitness and performance, with the BCCI ready to consider arrangements when the time comes.

Watch: What has Virat Kohli been up to in the UK recently?

Virat Kohli was recently spotted in London with Anushka Sharma, enjoying leisure time and engaging with fans. He balanced this with training sessions, preparing for the upcoming ODI series against Australia. Kohli also attended a gala, reminiscing about his career and bonds with fellow cricketers, while also observing the pressures of Wimbledon and supporting Team India's achievements.

MLB 2025: Overreactions to Brewers' wins, Mets' losses, more

Milwaukee is on fire. New York is ice cold. Top players are hurt or struggling. Here's what it all means.