Smriti Mandhana struck a sublime half-century as India recorded a seven-wicket win over Australia, keeping their hopes alive for a place in the final of the women’s T20 Tri-series.

Australia posted 173/5 courtesy a 57-ball 93 from Ashleigh Gardner and Meg Lanning’s 22-ball 37 after India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur elected to field at Junction Oval. India then overhauled the target in 19.4 overs, largely due to opener Shafali Verma’s 49 off 28 balls and Smriti’s 55 off 48 balls.

After two failures, sixteen-year-old Shafali gave India a flying start, smashing eight fours and a beautifully-timed straight six. Her senior opening partner Smriti anchored the case with a solid knock comprising seven fours. The two powered India to 85 in the ninth over when Shafali fell, caught by Nicola Carey off Ellyse Perry. No. 3 Jemimah Rodrigues made a quickfire 19-ball 30, studded with five hits to the fence, adding 37 off 4.1 overs with Smriti.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then joined Smriti and the two added 42 runs in six overs to take India close to the target. When Smriti was trapped LBW by Nicola Carey in the 19th over, India needed 10 off nine balls. No. 5 Deepti Sharma was equal to the task, however, as she struck two fours off the four balls she faced, and remained unbeaten on 11. Harmanpreet remained unbeaten on 20 off 20 balls, with one six.