New Delhi, July 9 -- The Indian stock market benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty 50, are likely to open higher on Thursday amid short-covering after a sharp selloff in the previous session as investors remain cautious over the renewed US-Iran war tensions and rising crude oil prices.

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 23,980 level, a premium of nearly 68 points from the Nifty futures' previous close.

On Wednesday, the Indian stock market ended sharply lower, amid escalation in the US-Iran war and rising crude oil prices, with the benchmark Nifty 50 slipping below 23,900 level.

The Sensex crashed 1,677.12 points, or 2.15%, to close at 76,503.60, while...