Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) extended their heavy sell-off in Indian equities this week, pulling out a net Rs 23,801 crore, as global uncertainties and rising crude oil prices continued to dampen investor sentiment.Data from the National Securities Depository Limited showed that March had already seen substantial outflows, with FPIs offloading equities worth Rs 1,17,775 crore, the highest monthly selling recorded so far this year.The persistent exodus has been largely attributed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which shows no clear signs of easing. A sharp rise in crude oil prices, coupled with the weakening of the rupee, has further intensified pressure on domestic markets, prompting foreign investors to scale back their exposure.Market experts pointed out that a combination of geopolitical tensions, elevated energy prices and currency depreciation has created a challenging environment for foreign investments.VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments, said March witnessed unprecedented selling by FPIs.“March witnessed massive selling by FPIs. This is the biggest ever monthly selling by FPIs. Continuation of the war, crude again spiking to above USD 100 level, the steady decline in the rupee and appreciation of the dollar triggered this record selling by FPIs,” he said.He added that the weakening rupee has been a key factor accelerating the outflows.“Rupee depreciated by about 4% since the war began and fears of further depreciation has added to the weakness of the rupee, which, in turn, is triggering further selling by FPIs,” Vijayakumar noted.Crude oil prices rising above the $100 per barrel mark have also heightened concerns around inflation and India’s import bill, given its reliance on imported energy. This has added to the strain on the rupee and weighed on overall market sentiment.Despite the sustained selling, experts believe that the market correction has brought valuations to more reasonable levels.“Sustained selling by the FPIs have made Indian market valuations fair and in some segments attractive. But FPI inflows can happen only when there is de-escalation on the war front leading to decline in crude,” Vijayakumar added.The ongoing trend suggests that foreign investor activity in Indian markets is currently being shaped by global developments, particularly geopolitical tensions and movements in energy prices, with any reversal in flows likely dependent on easing of these risks.

Rajasthan Royals’ Ravi Bishnoi, second left, celebrates with teammates (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Ravi Bishnoi for his decisive spell in Rajasthan Royals’ narrow six-run win over Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. He also remarked that the leg-spinner was undervalued at the auction and deserved a significantly higher price. Chasing 211 in Ahmedabad on April 4, Gujarat were undone largely by Bishnoi’s impact with the ball. The wrist-spinner returned figures of 4/41 from his four overs, striking at key moments to tilt the game in Rajasthan’s favour. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra reflected on Bishnoi’s value and performance. “Ravi Bishnoi, we were talking at the time of the auction that he was sold very cheaply – seven crores is cheap. He should have got 10-11 crores. He was a brilliant acquisition at seven crores. He picked up four wickets and made the difference in the end because all the important wickets were in his name.” Chopra also reserved special praise for Tushar Deshpande, who delivered under pressure in the final over to seal the game. “Tushar Deshpande came into the team and Brijesh Sharma wasn’t there, and what a change in the end because Tushar Deshpande was standing between a win and a loss. Tushar Deshpande executed those yorkers beautifully. Thumbs up with both hands for executing under pressure,” he observed. Deshpande finished with figures of 1/24 in three overs and held his nerve in the final over, conceding just four runs while dismissing Rashid Khan when Gujarat needed 11 off six balls. Earlier in the innings, Dhruv Jurel played a standout knock, scoring 75 off 42 deliveries to anchor Rajasthan’s innings. Chopra praised his maturity, especially after being promoted up the order this season. “Before that, Dhruv Jurel. They have taken a big call this season to make him bat at No. 3, and he was absolutely stellar. He batted almost till the end. He scored his first Test century at this ground only. Very good guy. I love him to bits. I feel very happy when he does well. Then their two openers. In my opinion, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the most explosive openers of this league,” he said. Alongside Jurel, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (31 off 18) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (55 off 36) provided Rajasthan with a strong start at the top. On the other hand, Chopra pointed out shortcomings in Gujarat’s chase, suggesting that better planning could have changed the result. “GT, this match was yours. There are problems in batting. Shubman Gill’s injury, of course, didn’t help, but wickets fell at regular intervals. I thought it was a slightly haphazard chase. You could have won this game had you constructed it slightly better,” Chopra observed. Despite a solid 73 off 44 from Sai Sudharsan, Gujarat lost momentum after his dismissal. From a strong position of 107/1 in 10.3 overs, the innings unraveled, allowing Rajasthan to complete a dramatic turnaround.

THANE: A family from Thane district, Maharashtra, was allegedly defrauded of over Rs 1.66 crore by a man who preyed on their fear of “black magic,” promising divine remedies through elaborate rituals and pilgrimages, police said on Sunday.According to officials, the Kasarvadavali police registered a first information report (FIR) on April 2 against Manjunath Shetty, a resident of Andheri in Mumbai. The family alleged that over a span of two years, Shetty manipulated them into paying large sums of money to “neutralise black magic” supposedly cast by a relative.According to the complaint, the family’s ordeal began in January 2024 when they met Shetty at an event. Learning about their financial difficulties, he convinced them that a relative had cast “black magic” to obstruct their progress.To counter it, Shetty allegedly prescribed a series of elaborate rituals and insisted on a pilgrimage to the 12 Jyotirlingas, sacred temples of Lord Shiva. Exploiting minor misfortunes in the family, he is said to have manipulated them into making multiple payments over time, officials added.Between February and April 2024, he took Rs 10 lakh in cash to purchase ritual materials, and from May 2024 to January 2026, the family transferred approximately Rs 1.56 crore through online transactions to various bank accounts belonging to the accused and his mother, he said.The accused allegedly told the family that he needed money to settle pending court cases, warning that if he were imprisoned, the rituals would remain incomplete and their problems would persist, officials said.Although no arrest has been made so far, the police have registered a case against Shetty under Section 418(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (cheating) and relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013, they added.(With agency inputs)

Rajasthan Royals skipper Riyan Parag found himself at the centre of a gripping IPL 2026 contest, as a bold late-game decision helped his side edge past Gujarat Titans by six runs in Ahmedabad. The call not only proved decisive but also earned admiration from former India coach Ravi Shastri.Defending a sizeable 211 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Rajasthan appeared to be cruising for large parts of the chase. That changed rapidly when Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada launched a fierce counterattack, scoring at nearly a 200 strike rate to drag Gujarat back into contention. With momentum shifting, the equation came down to 15 required from the final 12 balls.

At that critical stage, Parag opted to back Jofra Archer for the penultimate over. The move paid off instantly. Archer stuck to hard lengths and used his pace effectively, giving the batters no room to free their arms. The over yielded just four runs, with Rashid and Rabada limited to singles and no boundary conceded, tightening the equation to 11 off the final over.For the decisive final over, Parag showed further trust in his resources by handing the ball to Tushar Deshpande ahead of more experienced options like Nandre Burger and Sandeep Sharma. Deshpande justified that faith with a composed display under pressure. Consistently nailing his yorkers, he conceded just five runs and dismissed Rashid, sealing a dramatic victory for the Royals in what had briefly looked like a slipping contest.Shastri was quick to highlight both the quality of the game and Parag’s composure, sharing his reaction on Instagram.“Easily one of the best games in IPL history. Archive this one! Riyan Parag you have got ba**s of steel and a big future ahead, especially in a leadership role. Outstanding temperament. Well played!”

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Parag later revealed that the call to give Archer the 19th over was influenced by Dhruv Jurel, who had earlier played a crucial hand with the bat.

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“I was actually going to switch the order, but credit to Jurel – he asked me to go with Jofra for the 19th,” he said, underlining how that timely suggestion shaped the outcome of the match.