Troubled by a string of poor scores, the much-experienced Ajinkya Rahane finally got his act together with a timely unbeaten 58 as Mumbai took a 260-run lead against Vidarbha at the close on Day II of the Ranji Trophy final here on Monday.

While young Musheer Khan reined in his aggression to make a gritty 51 not out, Rahane negotiated the Vidarbha bowling attack with utmost patience and precision to put Mumbai, who are aiming for a record 42nd Ranji title, in pole position. At stumps, the hosts were 141/2 in their second innings.

Having been shot out for a meagre 224 in the first innings on the first day, Mumbai came roaring back in the first session on Monday to take a 119-run lead as Vidarbha, resuming at 31/3, were dismissed for 105 in their first innings.

Rahane and Musheer came together after Mumbai lost openers Prithvi Shaw (11) and Bhupen Lalwani (18) early in their second dig, with the game delicately placed shortly after lunch.

Old warhorse Rahane and Musheer were clinical as they frustrated the opposition for more than three hours to ensure the game tilted heavily in their favour when stumps were drawn.

Rahane, who has averaged just 12 this season, began cautiously but grew in confidence to bring up only his second fifty of the tournament, reaching 58 not out off 109 balls with the help of four boundaries and a six.

At the other end, Musheer kept committing himself on the front foot, meeting most of the deliveries with a dead bat to consume 134 balls for his unbeaten 51 with three fours.

The two right-handers took their time to build the unbeaten third-wicket stand of 107 runs from 232 balls.

Brief scores: Mumbai 224 & 141/2 (Musheer Khan 51 batting, Ajinkya Rahane 58 batting). Vidarbha 105 (Yash Rathod 27; Dhawal Kulkarni 3/15, Shams Mulani 3/32, Tanush Kotian 3/7). At stumps, Day II.