Riding on opener Wasim Jaffer's record-setting 32nd hundred in the championship, Mumbai took firm control of their Ranji Trophy final against Saurashtra on day two at the Wankhede Stadium here today.
Jaffer scored a patient knock of 132 when other top order batsmen failed but Mumbai had enough useful partnerships to pile up 287 for 6 to take a 139-run lead.
Jaffer now has became the highest run-scorer in the history of Ranji trophy as he left behind Amol Muzumdar, whose tally stood at 9105.
Jaffer needed 83 to cross Muzumdar's mark and after today's innings his total is 9155. He also eclipsed Ajay Sharma's record of 31 centuries in the championship.
Jaffer's knock contained 16 fours and a six in 246 balls.
There was a brief period after tea when Saurashtra looked to be fighting their way back by taking three quick wickets – including that of Jaffer to leave the hosts at 237 for 6 from 209 for 3.
But the unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 50 runs in 108 balls between Hiken Shah (41) and Dhawal Kulkarni (18) till the stumps ensured that Mumbai end the day without any more trouble.
Saurashtra needed early wickets this morning to make up for the the poor batting yesterday but Mumbai did not give them any gap to squeeze in.
Jaffer and Kaustubh Pawar (21) kept the visitors’ bowling attack at bay with cautious and slow batting after resuming at 19 for no loss.
Jaffer played a superb off driven four off Sauraya Sanandiya but then was lucky to survive a vociferous caught at the wicket appeal off Unadkat. The team's 50 came in the 24th over and after almost two hour batting.
Jaffer, who will be 35 next month, broke shackles by hitting left-arm slow bowler Dharmendra Jadeja for three fours in an over, half-an-hour before the lunch.
He then lost his opening partner Pawar when the batsman offered a tame return catch to Sidharth Trivedi. The openers put on 75 for the first wicket in 33.3 overs.
