Sharafu’s unbeaten 55 ensured UAE would post a comfortable victory in the ACC Men’s T20 Premier Cup in Oman
The loss would be the biggest for BJP since they swept to power in 2014 general elections, followed by wins over the past four years in 22 of India's 29 states, on promises of thousands of jobs and a doubling in farm income.
Politicians view state polls, though they are usually decided by regional issues, as a pointer to the mood of the BJP's traditional voting base, ahead of a general election that must be held by May.
"The results will set the tone for the 2019 election," said Sachin Pilot, a leader of the main opposition Congress party.
Congress is tipped to win in the western state of Rajasthan, scrape through in the central state of Chhattisgarh and is locked in a photo finish with the BJP in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh are among India's biggest states.
"The BJP has made a lot of tall claims about income, jobs etc," Pilot added. "They came out with 28 slogans, 'Swachh Bharat' ('Clean India'), 'Make in India' and such, but how many were implemented?"
"The state elections will be seen as a litmus test of Modi's popularity," said Simon Finch, fund manager at London-based Ashburton Investments.
"However, we would expect any blemishes to be met with a continuation of the populist measures increasingly evident during the past four years."
If the BJP did well, that would be a further catalyst for the market, said Mike Sell, head of Asian investments at asset management firm Alquity, who sees Modi's economic measures, such as a unified goods and services tax, eventually paying off.
"Even if they did badly, they wouldn't make us do anything negative and we will use any weakness as a buying opportunity."
Sharafu’s unbeaten 55 ensured UAE would post a comfortable victory in the ACC Men’s T20 Premier Cup in Oman
The country called on the international community to intensify all efforts to achieve a comprehensive and just peace
These initiatives are part of commitments by the local firms to support the UAE community in times of crisis
Though some employers were considerate enough to allow employees to work from home, some have asked staff to report to work now
It is a tale of love and dedication scripted in the heart of Abu Dhabi
The event brought together key players in the polo community to celebrate a successful season and honour outstanding achievements
In the first two days after the torrential rain on Tuesday, around 1,244 flights were cancelled
There has been fear that decades of enmity between the two could spill over into all-out war