Sports Bulletin For December 8: A busy week across sports brought key updates from cricket, football, and Formula 1. Indian cricket saw senior players returning to domestic action, disciplinary rulings from the ICC, and long-term plans shaping the next phase of squad development.
Overseas, motorsport headlines featured record-breaking moments and unexpected season outcomes, while Indian football delivered a thrilling cup finale. Here are the major highlights from the world of sports.
1) Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Opt to Play Vijay Hazare Trophy Voluntarily, No Push From BCCI: Report
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will return to domestic action in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy, marking a rare appearance in the one-day competition. After strong performances against South Africa, both senior players – now focused solely on ODI cricket – are looking to stay in rhythm and match-ready.
While Rohit had confirmed his participation earlier, Kohli has now also committed. Addressing speculation that the BCCI pushed the duo to play in order to prolong their ODI careers, a board official clarified the move was entirely their choice, saying: “They have decided, it’s their decision.”
2) IND vs SA: Big Blow To India! Men in Blue Fined Ahead Of T20I Series
India have been fined by the ICC for maintaining a slow over-rate in the second ODI against South Africa in Raipur. The team fell two overs short after time allowances, triggering a penalty under Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct. As per the rules, players are docked five percent of their match fee for each over missed, leading to a 10 percent deduction overall. Stand-in captain KL Rahul accepted the charge and sanction, avoiding a formal hearing.
3) Revealed! Gautam Gambhir Prefers Harshit Rana For THIS Long-Term Vision, Says ‘Will Give Massive Boost’
Harshit Rana continues to draw attention in India’s setup as coaches and selectors groom him into a dual-role cricketer. Despite outside debate, the 23-year-old is focused on improving both his bowling and lower-order batting. Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed that Rana is part of a long-term strategy to strengthen squad depth, especially in white-ball formats.
“That’s one of the reasons why we are trying to probably develop someone like Harshit, who can actually bat at 8 and contribute with a bat at No. 8,” Gambhir said after India’s nine-wicket win in Visakhapatnam. With a World Cup in South Africa two years away, the team management is already planning a balance that includes multiple seamers without weakening the batting order.
4) Shubman Gill Finally Breaks Silence On Recovery From Neck Injury
Shubman Gill has shared an update on his recovery from the neck injury he sustained last month. In a video released by the BCCI, Gill said he is feeling “much better” after undergoing extensive rehab and skill sessions at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
The opener had suffered a nerve-related neck issue during the first Test against South Africa, forcing him to leave the match mid-way. He spent a day in hospital and then continued treatment at the facility, causing him to miss the rest of the Test series as well as the ODIs.
5) FC Goa Beat East Bengal 6-5 On Penalties To Clinch Super Cup Title
FC Goa retained the Super Cup title for the second successive time after an emphatic 6-5 win on penalties over East Bengal. The Gaurs have now won the trophy a total of 3 times in their 11-year history.
6) Lando Norris Clinches Maiden F1 Title
Lando Norris has secured his maiden Formula 1 World Championship after finishing third at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen by just two points in the final standings. The 26-year-old becomes the first British champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 and delivers McLaren their first drivers’ crown since Hamilton’s 2008 triumph.
7) Joe Root Breaks Kapil Dev’s Unwanted World Record
Joe Root has now claimed an unwanted Test record, surpassing Kapil Dev’s long-standing mark. With England’s eight-wicket loss at the Gabba, Root has gone 16 Tests in Australia without a win, overtaking Kapil Dev’s previous record of 15 winless Tests in Pakistan.
8) Lewis Hamilton Becomes First Ferrari Driver In 44 Years Without A Podium
Lewis Hamilton’s debut season with Ferrari has taken a surprising turn, ending without a single win or podium – the first time in his 19-year F1 career he has gone an entire season without either. For a driver accustomed to fighting at the front, the result marks a stunning decline from his long streak of success.