IPL 2023: Rajasthan Royals record their highest-ever powerplay total of the tournament

Openers Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal wreaked havoc on the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers in the fourth match of the Indian Premier League 2023 as the duo catalysed Rajasthan's jump to register their highest-ever powerplay total of the tournament. Scoring 85/1 in the first six overs, Rajasthan bettered their previous record of 81/1, registered against Chennai Super Kings in Abu Dhabi in 2021.

Both the players started launching an attack on the Sunrisers Hyderabad bowlers right from the word go Sunrisers Hyderabad's stand-in skipper Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who initiated the proceedings for Sunrisers Hyderabad with the ball, was hammered for 23 runs in two overs.

Jos Buttler was responsible for most of the destruction caused during the powerplay, as he notched up a 22-ball 54 before being cleared by Fazalhaq Farooqi. He was aided in his campaign by seven fours and three sixes. Notching up his half-century in just 20 balls, Buttler gave dearly close to bettering his record of the fastest IPL half-century which he had scored in 18 balls against Delhi Capitals in 2018.

Also, this was Buttler's 20th half-century for Rajasthan Royals, the most by any player for the franchise. Ajinkya Rahane has scored 19 half-centuries while Shane Watson and Sanju Samson have recorded 18 each, representing the Jaipur-based franchise.

Yashasvi Jaiswal's masterclass assists Buttler to propel RR to a record-high powerplay score

Young batting sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal too played a wonderful knock to contribute to Rajasthan's record powerplay score. While Buttler took it upon himself to accelerate the proceedings, Jaiswal ably supported him and carried his innings beyond the powerplay too, putting up a 54-run stand with skipper Sanju Samson for the second wicket.

Jaiswal batted with a valiant strike rate of 145.95 and hit nine fours to score 54 runs in 37 deliveries. For Sunrisers, Afghan recruit Fazalhaq Farooqi dismissed both the openers to reduce Rajasthan to 139/2.