It was Buttler’s opening partner Devdutt Padikkal (54 off 35 balls) who loosened the tight leash the DC bowlers applied till the third over with RR scoring just 12 runs. Padikkal slammed three consecutive fours for the tsunami of runs to follow.

Buttler and Padikkal dealt in fours and sixes primarily. Buttler, after being beaten a few times in the opening over, took left-arm pacer Khaleel Ahmed to the cleaners in his second over, scoring 15 runs which included two sixes as RR ended the Powerplay with 44-0. Buttler toyed with the DC bowlers, leaving no corner of the ground unutilised.

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The six (107 metres) in the top tier of the Wankhede off Shardul Thakur was simply jaw-dropping. The length ball was whipped away to the long-on fence with disdain. Buttler again showcased his power-hitting prowess when he flicked Kuldeep Yadav over midwicket in his third over.

Pant brought in his best bowler of the Powerplay, Lalit Yadav, who conceded just six runs in two overs, but he too was not spared as 17 runs were taken off his third over. Buttler brought up his half-century when he pushed away a low full toss to cover region off Lalit.  DC had a rare opportunity to dismiss Buttler, but the fielder at deep mid-wicket was not on the boundary line. The result was a six. 

RR’s big opening stand

RR enjoyed a 155-run opening stand as Padikkal brought up his 50 with a boundary off Axar Patel. DC finally had their first breakthrough in the 16th over when Padikkal was trapped leg before by Khaleel.

Brief scores
RR 222-2 in 20 overs (J Buttler 116, D Padikkal 54, S Samson 46'; K Ahmed 1-47, M Rahman 1-43) v DC (scores incomplete)