Rashid and Rahul turned the game on its head with their unbeaten 59-run stand from just 24 balls.
The Group A match won't be more than a glorified net session for Rohit Sharma's men against a team, mostly comprising Pakistani and Indian expats.
India were expected to try out a bunch of players after another World Cup debacle but if the team combination for the second T20 was any indication, they seemed reluctant to start with a clean slate.
Samson found the boundaries at ease almost every over. There was the well-timed drive through the covers, smashes to the boundary over the infield and shots on the on side.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant said the failure of the Indian bowlers to claim wickets in the middle overs proved vital in their seven-wicket defeat against South Africa in the second ODI in Paarl on Friday.
If RCB win their remaining two games, they will move to 20 points and have a chance of finishing in the top two.
Images from the Indian Premier League match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, in Abu Dhabi, on Wednesday.
Rahane to lead India in one-off Test vs Afghanistan
Operating like a well-oiled unit, Chennai Super Kings will start as overwhelming favourites when they clash with struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL match in New Delhi on Wednesday.
It will take a special effort from the struggling Sri Lankan side to pull one back against the rampaging visitors.
KL Rahul will have to show drastically improved leadership acumen when he leads India against a buoyant South African side in the second ODI on Thursday.
'Like MS Dhoni, I try to detach myself from the result and focus on small things, which I also refer to as process. And this helps in getting the desired outcome'
Almost out of reckoning for a place in the play-offs, bottom-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad will look to play party-poopers when they take on an equally struggling Punjab Kings in the battle of laggards in the IPL in Sharjah on Saturday.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been laid low by sports hernia, the latest in a series of injuries, which kept him out of the recent One-day series against West Indies.
While praising Suryakumar, Buttler didn't forget to mention that his team can't afford to just think about him. "It would be remiss just to think about him. I think they have some other excellent players, as well,"
'The main motive is adapting to the situations and demands of the team'
Australian legend Ricky Ponting feels Mohammed Shami's strength lies in the longest format and there are better quick bowlers in India's T20 set up, weighing in on his absence from the Asia Cup squad.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji list India's Most Valuable ODI Players in the India-Australia T20 series.
Captaining a young side could be tricky, but Hardik Pandya, who led India to a 2-1 series win over Asian champions Sri Lanka, feels it was not that difficult, as he just had to ensure that they "belong at this level".
The chinks in India's pace bowling armour were badly exposed in the three-match T20s against Australia.
India will look to clinch the series albeit with a more impactful batting performance from the middle-order in the second T20 International in Ranchi on Friday.
Rishabh Pant made no bones about the uninspiring performance of the two leading spinners
What changes must India make to the playing XI for Friday's second T20 International against Australia?
Washington will join Axar and KL Rahul at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) for rehabilitation.
Not picking Bhuvneshwar for the WTC final and the five Tests against England starting August 4 is baffling, said Sarandeep
The Men in Blue are on a 12-match winning streak and come Thursday, they can create an all-time record of winning 13 T20I games in a row.
Who would you pick in India's playing XI for Tuesday's first One-Day International against England?
Karnataka pacer Prasidh Krishna, all-rounder Krunal Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav earned their maiden ODI call-ups on Friday as selectors picked the trio in India's 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match series against England.
Left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein and fast bowler Jason Holder have achieved career-best rankings in bowling after helping the West Indies to a series-deciding 17-run victory in the fifth match against England in Bridgetown.
Sunrisers Hyderabad's head coach Tom Moody attributes role clarity for the team's success.
Suryakumar Yadav displayed his unmatched superiority in the shortest format with a breathtaking hundred as a dominant India thrashed New Zealand by 65 runs in the second T20 in Mount Maunganui on Sunday.
IMAGES from the T20 World Cup warm-up match played between India and Australia in Dubai on Wednesday.
Having found his mojo back after a prolonged lean patch, Kohli was at his attacking best but slowing down cost him and India 20-25 runs.
Against England on Monday and then Wednesday's game versus Australia, the Indian team management would look to give the players who are still not automatic choices in the playing XI, more overs to bat or bowl to get a better idea about their current form.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Tuesday's third T20I against South Africa?
Changes on cards as no end to India's middle-order woes
"India have to be honest now. What happens when India arrive at a World Cup? Everyone plays them up. Nobody wants to criticise them because you get hammered on social media and pundits worry about losing work in India one day," he wrote. However, Vaughan feels now is the "time to tell it straight,"
How India's cricketers fared in the three-match T20I series against England.
Whether he is batting in the middle or fielding at the boundary line, Virat Kohli's every move will be tracked, though some of that attention will now be on skipper K L Rahul.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravichandran Ashwin are fit for their second World Cup match.
