Pune, April 30: Openers Shane Watson (78) and Faf du Plessis (33) provided a perfect start before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (51 not out) and Ambati Rayudu (41 not out) finished the proceedings in style to power Chennai Super Kings to 211/4 against Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here on Monday.

Dhoni and Rayudu were at their destructive best as the duo hammered Delhi bowlers towards the end of the innings and accumulated 79 runs in six overs.

While Watson hammered the bowlers, du Plessis rotated the strike. On occasions the South African player also went for the big shots.

The partnership was broken by medium pacer Vijay Shankar, who got rid of du Plessis in the fifth ball of the 11th over. His 33-ball knock was laced with three boundaries and one six.

After two balls, Suresh Raina (1) also departed. The Uttar Pradesh batsman was bowled by off-spinner Glenn Maxwell. At that time the scoreboard was reading 103/2.

In the 19th over, Dhoni slammed a 108-metre six, the second longest of this year's tournament.

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings: 211/4 (Shane Watson 78, Mahendra Singh Dhoni 51; Glenn Maxwell 1/5, Amit Mishra 1/30) vs Delhi Daredevils.

 

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Lucknow (PTI): Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday raised questions over maintenance of the Taj Mahal in Agra and attacked the Yogi Adityanath government saying it should be a "living and active" example, not just a "monument".

Yadav, who shared a viral video in which a plant could be seen sprouting from the dome of the Taj Mahal, said the monument might develop cracks due to the roots.

In a post on X, he said, "The BJP government and its dormant departments have completely failed to maintain the Taj Mahal, the wonder that attracts tourists from all over the world."

Yadav went on to say, "There is a possibility of rusting of the metal of the urn on the main dome. Water is dripping from the main dome. There is news of plants growing in the dome. If the roots of trees like these grow, then the Taj Mahal may crack."

He also highlighted problems of monkey menace and water logging in the Taj Mahal complex.

"The Taj Mahal complex has become a sanctuary for monkeys. There is a problem of waterlogging in the Taj Mahal complex. The tourists are worried whether they should admire the Taj Mahal or deal with the problems," Yadav said, adding due to all these reasons, the country's image is tarnished at the global level. ⁠

Last week, the main dome of the Taj witnessed water seepage due to incessant rains but officials said there was no damage to the arched roof.

Yadav asked where crores of rupees of funds that come for the maintenance of Taj Mahal are going.

"The government should be a living and active example, not just a monument," he added.