Mumbai, April 22 -- Indian equity markets closed lower on Wednesday, dragged down by heavy selling in IT stocks and rising crude oil prices amid ongoing global uncertainty linked to tensions between the United States and Iran.

The benchmark Nifty 50 index closed at 24,378.10, declining by -198.50 points or (-0.81 per cent), while the BSE Sensex ended at 78,516.49, down by -756.84 points or (-0.95 per cent).

Market sentiment remained under pressure due to a combination of global and domestic factors, including elevated oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and foreign fund outflows.

According to Vikram Kasat, Head Advisory at PL Capital, "The market saw a dramatic shift today, with the key indexes witnessing a decline after yesterday's gai...