India thumped local favourites AIS by five wickets to keep alive their hopes of reaching the Emerging Players Tournament final.

Ajinkya Rahane and Virat Kohli starred in a 103-run opening stand as India got the better of Australian Institute of Sports.

Put into bat, Australia lost wickets just when partnerships were about to bloom and it was because of Rob Quiney's run-a-ball 55 and James Faulkner's gutsy 38 that the hosts reached 176 before collapsing in 47 overs.

For India, Amit Mishra and captain S Badrinath returned two scalps each.

With Rahane (61 off 59 balls) and Kohli (51 off 38 balls) providing the perfect start to the chase, India cruised to 176 for five in 27.5 overs for a facile win.

India got off to a rollicking start with Rahane and Kohli ripping into the Australian attack and the hosts could do nothing to stem the run flow.

The openers cruised along as they put on 103 runs in 14-odd overs without any hiccup.

Australia finally drew first blood in the 15th over when Kohli departed, triggering a mini-collapse as India suddenly slumped from the comfort of 103 for no loss to 151 for five inside 24 overs.

Chris Duval (3/49) and Jon Holland (2/68) suddenly ran amok, sharing five wickets between them to spread panic in the Indian camp.

Badrinath (6) could not capitalise on the brilliant start provided by the openers, Naman Ojha (27 off 22 balls) dazzled for a while before exiting and Manoj Tiwary fell for a duck.

India, however, were in sight of the win that stood just 26 runs away. Abhishek Nayar (17) and Wriddhiman Saha (10) took the responsibility to see the side through.

Both India and AIS are on six points with one game to play. India play New Zealand in their last league match while Australia face the mighty South Africa.

Having won all six matches so far, South Africa have already booked a berth in the final.