Persistent rain before start of play reduced the second semifinal to a 42-overs-a-side affair.

India lost early wickets after electing to bat only to be propped up by a counter-attacking Harmanpreet Kaur.

Harmanpreet Kaur struck a 90-ball century to set India up for a competitive total.

The Indian vice-captain struck 20 fours and seven sixes to propel India to a mammoth 281 for 4 in 42 overs.

Australia lost their openers cheaply and had to content with star batsman Meg Lanning getting bowled for a duck.

Deepti Sharma took the first of her three wickets by catching Nicole Bolton off her own bowling.

Elyse Villani struck a brisk 58-ball 75 in a 105-run stand with Ellyse Perry (38) to keep Australia in the hunt.

Quick wickets of Villani, Perry and Alyssa Healy (in picture) put India firmly in control of the contest.

Alex Blackwell kept Australia's faint hopes alive with a scarcely believable 56-ball 90 that took the match deep.

Deepti Sharma picked up the final wicket to fall as India completed a 36-run victory to move to the World Cup final.

India will play England in the World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday (July 23).