Krishnakumar Dinesh Karthik, better known as Dinesh Karthik, is one of the most skilled wicket-keeper batsmen in Indian cricket's history. In the modern era, he is right up there with some of the best wicket-keepers we have seen on the international stage. Dinesh Karthik made his international debut against England on September 5, 2004. In the following months, he was called for India's Test cricket team on November 3, 2004, against Australia.
Dinesh Karthik finally made his T20I debut on December 1, 2006, in India's crucial series against South Africa. The cricketer had won a series of international trophies with the Indian cricket team. Starting with the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup, he has lifted the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, 2010 ACC Asia Cup and 2018 ACC Asia Cup. Despite having exceptional skills, Dinesh Karthik couldn't get more chances to prove his worth because of one player, who went on to become one of the greatest captains in cricket history.
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It was the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, in which he underperformed and was immediately dropped out of the ODI and T20I squads of the Indian cricket team. It was a difficult phase for the cricketer, who was once tipped to be in the ranks of legendary wicket-keepers like Kumar Sangakkara, Quinton de Kock, Brad Haddin, Denesh Ramdin, and many more. After not getting enough game time, Dinesh Karthik started working as a commentator for the English and Wales Cricket Board during the India-England T20I and ODI series back in March 2021. Soon, he started getting a lot of praise for his commentary.
Dinesh Karthik was playing for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2021, and Royal Challengers Bangalore purchased him ahead of the 2022 IPL season. The wicket-keeper batsman had a thunderous debut with RCB in the IPL, and the selectors of the Indian cricket team found it hard to pass over his performance.
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As a result, he was called for India's T20 set-up after a gap of three years for a tour of South Africa. Fast forward to 2024, Dinesh Karthik hit the longest six of IPL 2024, 108 meters, for his IPL team, Royal Challengers Bangalore, in their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The 38-year-old's 83-run knock in just 35 balls has increased his chances of being named in India's squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
Dinesh Karthik never succumbed to the obstacles he received in his professional life, but it was his personal life that took a toll on his mental health. For the unversed, Dinesh got married to his childhood friend, Nikita Vanjara, at the age of 21 back in 2007. After the first five years of their marriage, cracks started appearing in Dinesh and Nikita's happy paradise. During the 2012 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Dinesh learnt about his wife, Nikita's affair with his close friend and cricketer, Murali Vijay.
It was a massive shock for the entire cricket fraternity and left everyone in deep shock as Dinesh Karthik and Murali Vijay were close friends. Despite such a heartbreaking situation, Dinesh kept his cool and gave a divorce to his first wife, Nikita Vanjara, without any public outcry.
After getting divorced from Dinesh, Nikita and Murali got married in 2012 and welcomed their first child in the same year. The newly-wedded couple became parents to a baby boy, whom they named Nirav. In the coming years, they welcomed two more kids, Eva and Aarav.
According to a report in Lokmat Times, Dinesh Karthik wanted to commit suicide after divorce from his first wife, Nikita Vanjara. This was a life-threatening situation for the cricketer, as he had stopped working out, training and started thinking about ending his life.
However, after some guidance from his coach, Abhishek Nayar, Dinesh decided to change his story and made a smashing comeback in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Mumbai Indians. The cricketer was phenomenal in Mumbai Indians' title-winning campaign in 2013. Since then, he has never looked back, and while he once again started riding high on the professional front, love also knocked at his door once again.
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When Dinesh Karthik was training with popular fitness coach, Basu Shankar, he became friends with Dipika Pallikal. Although, in the beginning, they were just friends, but as the time passed, they came closer and started dating. In the coming years, they kept on meeting each other, and it was in 2013 that Dinesh proposed to Dipika for marriage.
The couple got engaged on November 5, 2013, and took the plunge on August 18, 2015. In 2021, Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal welcomed their twin boys, Zian and Kabir.
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Not everyone is aware of the fact that Dinesh Karthik's second wife, Dipika Pallikal is an international squash player and the first Indian player to enter the 'Top 10' of PSA Women's rankings. For the uninitiated, Dipika's mother, Susan Pallikal is a former cricketer, who played for the Indian women's cricket team. Coming back to Dipika's achievements, she is a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award (2012) and Padma Shri (2014).
Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal are in one of the best phases of their lives. Currently, both of them are doing wonders in their respective sports while also taking care of their kids, Kabir and Zian. It's inspiring the way Dinesh has turned around his life, and it sends out the message loud and clear that no matter what, you should never give up. We hope Dinesh and Dipika continue to make India proud in their respective sports.
What are your thoughts on Dinesh Karthik's love life? Let us know.
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