The footprint of the Impact Player rule, Mumbai City's revenge, Shashank Singh Interview and more

The cover of the latest issue of Sportstar is a deep dive into the whys, hows, and whats of the Impact Player rule in the IPL and the trickle-down effect it has had on Indian cricket. Will the Impact rule breed a feeling of disconnect? Read on to find out. Also, don't miss the interview with Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh and Sunil Gavaskar's take on the dead-ball rule in cricket.

Indian cricket 'counts the cost' of IPL player swaps

The Impact Player rule in IPL has dramatically altered the game's dynamics, favouring specialists and leaving all-rounders marginalised. The rule, allowing mid-match player substitutions, has led to record-high run rates but diminished opportunities for all-rounders like Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube.

According to Dhruva Prasad , it has given rise to concerns over its impact on India's international team balance and the development of future all-rounders.

Never gone, but making his presence felt

After a curious sequence of events at the last IPL auction, where Shashank Singh became the victim of mistaken identity, the Punjab Kings batter has finally garnered recognition as the standout player of IPL 2024, the years of toil in domestic cricket and previous IPL stints finally bearing fruit.

Shashank attributes his success to perseverance and learning from past experiences. He talks about the learning curve in this interview with Amol Karhadkar

Mumbai City FC relishes sweet revenge over Mohun Bagan

Mumbai City clinched the ISL Cup, while Mohun Bagan secured the ISL League Shield in the 2023-24 season, the two best teams returning home with silverware.

Neeladri Bhattacharjee gives a detailed overview of the ISL final while highlighting the pivotal moments, which ultimately bode well for the future of Indian football.

Remember my name!

As ever, the IPL has thrown up a few notable young players. Abhishek Saini picks six names who have had a memorable season season so far and have made a big impact for their teams.

On The Write Line: Dead-ball law must be revisited during ICC Cricket Committee meeting

In the Sunrisers Hyderabad vs. Rajasthan Royals game, a tense last-ball LBW call led to a batsman's referral, which meant the ball was dead, potentially offering a strategic advantage to opposition captains and coaches.

This rule could come up for discussion at the ICC Cricket Committee meeting that is likely to happen during the T20 World Cup in the USA or the West Indies. Read more about it in Sunil Gavaskar's latest column.