In reply to Maharashtra's 335 all out, the visitors were well placed with a fitting reply of 158 for the loss of Jaffer's wicket. Joglekar and Jatin Paranjape were at the crease on 74 and 13 respectively.

The situation in Surat -- between Gujarat and Baroda -- could change Mumbai's equation from 10-down to 10-to-go (they have to score an outright win). As coach Ashok Mankad commented, ``The Surat match is transforming our approach. If Gujarat wins, we just need the first innings lead to make it to the next stage in the championship.''

``I'm happy with the score, but for the time factor. My bowlers failing to capitalise, despite getting the early wickets, could be the only drawback,'' added Mankad.

Gujarat have taken the first innings lead, but with the wicketin Surat favouring the bowlers, there is all possibility that Baroda may strike back and win.

Manoj Joglekar, who made a slow start, made up for it with a mighty six over mid-wicket and 10 fours, while at the other end, Jaffer opened his account cutting Milind Kulkarni to the fence, enthralling all in his vigil lasting 165 minutes with nine hits to the fence.

Iqbal Siddique, Maharashtra's main strike bowler, could not get his line and length right and overstepped nine time in his 12 overs. Milind Kulkarni did get some assistance from the wicket, managing to swing the ball. Hemant Kinikar rubbed salt into his wounds dropping Joglekar at forward-short-leg. The batsman was on 29.

Earlier, Abey Kuruvilla struck a double blow, claiming Iqbal Siddique and Mandar Sane. But the ninth wicket pair of Surendra Bhave and Satyen Lande foiled their move, adding 59 runs when Bhave attempted to pull Sandeep Dhad and spooned the ball to square-leg. Wasim Jaffer took a comfortable catch.

Surendra Bhave's marathoninnings of 164 lasted for 561 minutes and faced 357 balls which included 19 hits to the fence.

Scoreboard

Maharashtra 1st innings (overnight 255 for six):

Surendra Bhave c Jaffer b Dhad (562m 357b 19x4) 164; Iqbal Siddique c Paranjape b Kuruvilla (28m, 25b) 3; Mandar Sane c Jaffer b Kuruvilla 1; Satyen Lande not out (132m, 119b, 3x4) 31; Milind Kulkarni (5m, 3b) 0. Extras:(b2, lb6, nb13) 21.

Total all out (in 132.3 overs) 335.

Fall-of-wickets: 1-2, 2-28, 3-34, 4-72, 5-232, 6-251, 7/259, 8/270, 9/329.

Bowling: Abey Kuruvilla 31-9-65-4, Paras Mhambrey 21-3-66-1, Sandeep Dhad 19-3-73-3, Nilesh Kulkarni 29-5-64-1, Sairaj Bahutule 32.2-6-59-1.

Mumbai (1st innings): Manoj Joglekar not out (206m, 148b 10x4, 1x6) 74; Wasim Jaffer c Khondalkar b Kulkarni (165m, 100b, 9x4) 61; Jatin Paranjape not out (40m, 37, 2x4) 13.

Extras: (lb1, nb9) 10.

Total (in 46 overs) 158 for one

Fall of wickets:1/126.

Bowling: Iqbal Siddique 12-1-43-0, Milind Kulkarni 12-3-33-1, Siddharth Godbole 4-0-14-0,Indarjeet Kamtekar 6-0-29-0, Mandar Sane 3-0-11-0, Satyen Lande 9-1-27-0.