New Delhi, March 6 -- The Indian stock market is expected to open lower on Friday, following weak global market cues, as the escalating US-Iran weighed on sentiment and rising crude oil prices stoked fears of higher inflation. The trends on Gift Nifty also signal a gap-down opening for the frontline indices, Nifty 50 and Sensex today.

On Thursday, the Indian stock market rallied amid short-covering, snapping three consecutive sessions of sharp declines, with the benchmark Nifty 50 closing above 24,700 level.

The Sensex surged 899.71 points, or 1.14%, to close at 80,015.90, while the Nifty 50 settled 285.40 points, or 1.17%, higher at 24,765.90.

On the Nifty options front, Chandan Taparia Head Derivatives & Technicals, Wealth Management...