New Delhi, Feb. 24 -- The benchmark Nifty index may open sharply lower at around 22,500 points on Monday, following a sharp fall in US equities on Friday. This comes at a time bulls are trimming their optimistic bets and bears readying to break a strong support that's held up six times since last month. The market could temporarily bounce off Monday's lows, but rallies could be sold into, said market veterans.

The strong support of 22,800, which was tested six times through Friday, could give way and trap the bulls initially this week, according to derivatives analysts. Market veterans said that global tariff tensions and slowing earnings growth back home have dented sentiment to the extent that potential rallies could be used by investo...