Dinesh Karthik And Dipika Pallikal Welcome Baby Girl, Reveal Name
In a heartwarming update for the Indian sporting community, former national cricketer Dinesh Karthik and squash champion Dipika Pallikal have announced the birth of their third child. According to a report by NDTV Sports, the couple welcomed a baby girl and named her Raaha Pallikal Karthik.
The announcement was made through a joint social media post on Thursday, March 19, 2026, where the couple expressed their deep gratitude and joy. As noted by NDTV Sports, the pair shared that their twin sons, Kabir and Zian, who were born in 2021, are “thrilled” to take on their new roles as older brothers to their younger sister. The post quickly went viral, drawing congratulatory messages from several high-profile teammates and peers, including Virat Kohli and Axar Patel.
Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal, who wed in 2015 in both Hindu and Christian ceremonies, represent a unique “power couple” in Indian sports. Karthik transitioned into coaching and prominent commentary roles after a distinguished two-decade career with the Indian national team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Meanwhile, Dipika Pallikal remains one of the country’s most decorated athletes; she made history as the first Indian woman to reach the world’s top-10 squash rankings and recently secured a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
As reported by NDTV Sports via news agency IANS, the expansion of their family comes during a busy period for Karthik, who is currently serving as the batting coach for RCB as the team prepares for the upcoming IPL 2026 season. Despite their demanding professional schedules, the couple continues to be celebrated for balancing elite athletic careers with their journey as parents.
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