T20I TRI- SERIES Melbourne: Smriti Mandhana struck a sublime half- century as India finally produced a good batting display to record a seven- wicket win over Australia here on Saturday, keeping their hopes alive for a place in the final of the womenu2019s T20 tri- series.
Australia posted 173- 5 courtesy a 57- ball 93 from Ashleigh Gardner and Meg Lanningu2019s 22- ball 37 after India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur elected to field.
India then overhauled the target in 19.4 overs, largely due to opener Shafali Vermau2019s 49 off 28 balls and Mandhanau2019s 55 off 48 balls.
With the win, India moved to the second position in the points table, behind England.
Earlier, Gardner sent the ball across the fence 11 times and blasted three sixes in her 57- ball innings to emerge as the top- scorer for Australia.
For India, Deepti Sharma ( 2- 27) was the pick of the bowlers, snapping two wickets, while Rajeshwari Gayakwad ( 1- 34), Radha Yadav ( 1- 34) and Harleen Deol ( 1- 21) took one wicket each.
Australiau2019s Ellyse Perry ( 1- 33), Megan Schutt ( 1- 26) and Nicola Carey ( 1- 27) accounted for a wicket each.
PTI Brief scores Australia 173- 5 in 20 overs ( A Gardner 93; M Lanning 37; D Sharma 2- 27) lose to India 177- 3 in 19.4 overs ( S Mandhana 55, S Verma 49) by 7 wickets Smriti Mandhana en route her 55 on Saturday. PIC/ Getty Images
