Dinesh Karthik Biography, Wife, Children, Family, Education

Dinesh Karthik Biography

Full Name	Krishna Kumar Dinesh Karthik
Nickname	DK
Profession	Indian Cricketer (Right-hand Batsman and Wicket-keeper)
Date of Birth	1 June 1985
Age (as of 2021)	36 Years
Birthplace	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Zodiac sign	Gemini
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hinduism
Family Caste	Brahmin
School	Carmel School, Kuwait – Fahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian Private School, Kuwait – Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai (from eighth standard onward)
Education Qualification	Graduate

Physical Stats

Height	170 cm (5’ 7”)
Weight	65 kg (143 lbs)
Body Measurements	– Chest: 38 inches – Waist: 30 inches – Biceps: 14 inches
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black

Dinesh Karthik Family Details

Family Members	– Father: Krishnakumar (System Analyst) – Mother: Padma (Worked in IDBI and ONGC) – Brother: Vinesh (Younger) – Sister: None
Address	An apartment called The Karthik’s’ in Chennai

Dinesh Karthik’s Wife and Children

Marital Status	Married
Affairs/Girlfriends	Nikita Vanjara, Dipika Pallikal (Squash Player)
Wife/Spouse(s)	– First Wife: Nikita Vanjara (m. 2007–div. 2012) – Second Wife: Dipika Pallikal (m. 2015-present)
Marriage Date	– 18 August 2015 (Christian rituals) – 20 August 2015 (Hindu rituals)
Marriage Place	– Christian: The Leela Palace hotel in Chennai – Hindu: ITC Grand Chola in Chennai
Children	Twin baby boys, born on 28 October 2021

Cricket Career

International Debut	– Test: 3 November 2004 against Australia at Mumbai – ODI: 5 September 2004 against England at London – T20: 1 December 2006 against South Africa at Johannesburg
Coach/Mentor	Robin Singh
Jersey Number	#21, 19 (India), #21, 19 (Domestic)
Domestic/State Team	Abahani Limited, Albert TUTI Patriots, Delhi Daredevils, Gujarat Lions, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore, South Zone, Tamil Nadu
Nature on Field	Calm
Records	– First Indian cricketer to win a T20I Man of the Match award (against South Africa in 2006) – Batted from opening position to No. 7
Career Turning Point	Performance in the 2004 domestic season

Dinesh Karthik’s Net Worth

• Yearly Income: 5 Crore
• Net Worth: 50 Crores INR

Controversies

1. Love Triangle Rumors:
   • There were rumors of a love triangle between Dinesh Karthik, his ex-wife Nikita, and cricketer Murali Vijay. Allegedly, it was believed that Nikita cheated on Dinesh Karthik with Murali Vijay.
2. Sexist Comments Criticism (2021):
   • On 1 July 2021, during the second ODI between Sri Lanka and England, Dinesh Karthik faced criticism for making sexist comments while doing commentary. He compared cricket bats to “neighbor’s wife,” drawing strong backlash on social media. He later issued an apology during the third ODI, acknowledging his mistake and expressing regret for his inappropriate comments.

Interesting Facts

1. Cricket in Kuwait:
   • During his childhood, Dinesh Karthik and his family lived in Kuwait for a period. It was in Kuwait that he developed an interest in cricket, initially by watching English County cricket matches on television.
2. Coached by Robin Singh:
   • Dinesh Karthik was coached by former Indian cricketer Robin Singh, who played a crucial role in shaping his cricketing skills.
3. Meeting Second Wife at Chennai Marathon (2008):
   • Dinesh Karthik first met his second wife, Dipika Rebecca Pallikal, at the Chennai marathon in 2008. They were introduced through their common gym trainer, Shankar Basu, at ‘Maverick Gym,’ Chennai.
4. Jersey Number Connection:
   • He used to wear the #19 jersey for India, which was previously worn by Rahul Dravid. It reflects his admiration for the former captain.
5. Transformation in Mumbai:
   • In a challenging phase in late 2015 and early 2016, Dinesh Karthik sought guidance from his friend Abhishek Nayar, a Mumbai cricketer. They worked together in Nayar’s “House of Pain,” a room in Nayar’s Mumbai residence, focusing on mental strength, batting visualization techniques, and rigorous training. This period marked a transformation in Karthik’s cricketing career.
6. IPL Captaincy (2018):
   • For the first time in his IPL career, Dinesh Karthik captained the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 11 (2018), taking over the role from Gautam Gambhir.
7. Daniel Vettori’s Gift:
   • During an IPL season, Daniel Vettori, the former New Zealand cricketer, gifted Dinesh Karthik his award motorbike, adding an interesting chapter to his cricketing journey.
8. Avid Dog Lover:
   • Dinesh Karthik is known for his love for dogs, showcasing his passion for animals alongside his cricketing career.
9. Nidahas Trophy Heroics (2018):
   • On 18 March 2018, he played a memorable innings, hitting a six off the last ball to secure a victory for India in the Nidahas Trophy T20 tri-series finals against Bangladesh.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many kids does Dinesh Karthik have?
   • Dinesh Karthik and his wife, Dipika Pallikal, are blessed with twin baby boys. They announced the birth of their twin sons on 28 October 2021.
2. How many World Cups did Dinesh Karthik play?
   • Despite being around for three Cricket World Cups (2007, 2011, and 2015), Dinesh Karthik has never been included in the squad for a World Cup.
3. At what age did Dinesh Karthik start playing cricket?
   • Dinesh Karthik’s early exposure to cricket began during his childhood in Kuwait, where he started playing the sport by watching English County cricket matches on television.
4. What did Dinesh Karthik study?
   • Dinesh Karthik pursued his education in India. He attended Carmel School and Fahaheel Al-Watanieh Indian Private School in Kuwait. Later, from the eighth standard onward, he studied at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Egmore, Chennai.
5. Who is the Father of Dinesh Karthik?
   • Dinesh Karthik’s father is Krishnakumar, who worked as a System Analyst.
6. Who is Dinesh Karthik’s First Wife?
   • Dinesh Karthik’s first wife is Nikita Vanjara. They were married in 2007 but got divorced in 2012.