Mumbai, Jan. 31 -- At 136/5, Mumbai were in a spot of bother, still trailing by 85 runs in the first innings against Delhi. The long-standing Ranji Trophy rivalry may be a thing of the past for the present generation, but being challenged by a depleted opposing squad at home, warranted a fightback from the 42-time champions. It came in the form of 33-year-old Siddhesh Lad, who is having a second wind to remember. Lad, captaining his side, struck his fourth successive hundred, fifth of the season, to take Mumbai to safe waters, finishing on 266/5 at the end of Day 2 at the Sharad Pawar Academy ground. Lad held firm as wickets fell in a heap during the first half of the day. Crucial wickets of Musheer Khan (57) - due to an umpiring error - and Sarfaraz Khan pegged the hosts back. Playing at their preferred home surface at the academy in BKC, Lad knew that the post-tea session was the time to make merry against tiring bowlers. The scoring rate picked up speed as Lad (102*, 12x4) together with Suved Parker (53*) began finding the boundaries to help Mumbai to safety and potentially towards a convincing lead. A 700-plus run season for a batter, who until two years back, wasn't even sure if there was more competitive cricket left in him; Lad is scripting his own fairytale. "Five hundreds in a season on a comeback (his second season back in Mumbai from Goa), I hadn't even imagined," Lad said. "That is why I am not thinking too far ahead. Just trying to continue the good work." "I am experiencing the maturity batsman get after turning 30. I know my game a lot better now. If you see, I have scored 30 fifties, but I had an issue with conversion before. Brief scores: Delhi 221 vs Mumbai 266/5 (Siddhesh Lad 102*, Musheer Khan 57, Suved Parkar 53*)....