India, Feb. 15 -- A combination of dropped catches, missed run-outs, and glaring misfields meant Gujarat Giants, despite scoring 201 in their 20 overs, succumbed to a six-wicket loss against defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as the third edition of Women's Premier League (WPL) got underway in Vadodara on Friday.

Set 202 to win, RCB thrived on a stunning 27-ball 64* (7X4, 4X6) from Richa Ghosh and a 34-ball 57 from Ellyse Perry to gun down the target with nine balls to spare. It marked the first occasion of a successful 200-plus run chase in WPL's brief history and conclusively outshone an equally stunning six-hitting display from GG skipper Ashleigh Gardner.

Both Ghosh and Perry got reprieves from GG fielders -- Ghos...