Vani had a tough start on the front nine, but she made a great recovery in the latter stages of her second round.
With the course proving a big challenge for the golfers, Smriti's 76 was the day's best at the par-72 Prestige course.
Vani, who had a sub-par round of 71 on opening day shot a 77 to total 148, as against Smriti