Sunrisers Hyderabad have shown no ill-effects from the loss of banned skipper David Warner as they eased to a nine-wicket IPL win over Rajasthan Royals.
Shikhar Dhawan and new captain Kane Williamson shared an unbeaten 121-run stand as they chased down an under-par total of 9-125 in just 15.5 overs.
Dhawan blazed an unbeaten 77 off 57 balls, including 13 boundaries and a six, while Williamson was unbeaten on 36, hitting three fours and a six.
Rajasthan's multi-million dollar signings Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler failed to fire after being put in to bat by Williamson - the replacement for Warner who was caught up in the ball-tampering scandal last month.
The Royals, returning after a two-year ban due to a betting scandal, struggled to put on partnerships in the absence of their own banned captain, Steve Smith.
Top scorer Sanju Samson (49) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (12) put up the best stand of 46 for the second wicket.
England pair Buttler and Stokes scored only six and five respectively.
"We thought 125 was on the lower side, 150 or 160 would have been great," Rahane said.
"We were 50-1 and me and Sanju decided to back our intent, but we lost too many wickets. This is the first game and we need to learn from our mistakes and move forward."
Star Bangladesh allrounder Shakib Al Hasan (2-23) started the Rajasthan slide when he removed Samson and Rahul Tripathi in the 14th over.
Leg-spinner Rashid Khan (1-23) further jolted them when he clean-bowled Buttler off a googly.
Medium-fast bowler Siddarth Kaul also bowled steadily and picked up two wickets that included Rahane.
"No doubt we miss Davey (Warner), such a fantastic player for us, but the guys were brilliant all round in the field," Williamson said.
"We picked up wickets at key times and we fielded well."
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