Rahul dominates the early exchanges

LSG followed a reliable template for batting first and seemed to be on course at the end of the powerplay. Quinton de Kock hit two fours in the opening over. On Rahul's third ball, he thrashed a six over cover. Although Khaleel Ahmed removed de Kock and Devdutt Padikkal, who has scored in single digits in five consecutive matches, there was no panic in the stands. However, the situation could have been different if Khaleel had caught the sharp return catch off Stoinis' first ball.

Rahul retaliated by hitting Khaleel down the ground for four and then scored two more boundaries off Mukesh Kumar. LSG ended the powerplay on 57 for 2. Rahul's 30 off 14 was his joint-highest score for LSG in the first six overs. This start was ominous for DC.