Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal become parents again, welcome their daughter 'Raaha': A look at their love story and three children

Sometimes, real life is stranger than fiction and for former cricketer Dinesh Karthik this seems to be totally true. From getting betrayed and heartbroken in his first marriage to Nikita Vanjara to finding love again in fellow sports-star Dipika Pallikal, Dinesh Karthik's life has come full-circle. On March 19, 2026, Dinesh and his wife Dipika took to social media to share the news of the birth of their daughter-- their third child together! "With blessings in our hearts and gratitude beyond words, we joyfully welcome our precious girl into this world," their post read on social media. They also shared that their daughter is named-- Raaha Pallikal Karthik.
Meanwhile, they also have two sons.

As the much-in-love couple embrace parenthood again, let's have a look at their love story and three children:Photo: Dipika Pallikal/ Instagram

Dinesh Karthik and Nikita Vanjara seemed like the "forever" couple— childhood sweethearts married at 21. But in 2012, the dream didn't just end; it shattered. In a brutal double betrayal, Nikita fell for Murali Vijay, cricketer Dinesh’s own teammate and friend.

The news broke during a tournament, which left Dinesh reeling. Nikita-Murali's affair led to her divorce with Dinesh. Meanwhile, Nikita and Murali got married and soon
started a family with the birth of their son Nirav in 2013, followed by the birth of their daughter Eva, and another boy Aarav in 2017. Meanwhile, Dinesh chose a hauntingly dignified silence over public chaos. It wasn't just a sports scandal; it was raw, human heartbreak.

Photo: Canva

Post-divorce from Nikita, Dinesh Karthik didn't just "lose form"; he lost his spark. The man who was once the heartbeat of the IPL, suddenly went quiet. He wasn't just skipping practice; he was grieving a life that had been snatched away. All of this lead to selectors dropping Dinesh from the team.

He was at a crossroads that felt a lot more like a dead end. When the people you trust most break that bond, the gym feels like a prison and "tomorrow" feels like a threat.

That’s where Dinesh's mentor and friend Abhishek Nayar stepped in, as per reports. He wasn’t just a "mentor" in a professional sense; he was the friend who refused to let Dinesh drown in his own silence. Abhishek urged Dinesh to go back to the gym. What seemed like a forced-task for Dinesh back then, turned out to be one of the best decisions of this life.

Photo: Canva

It was then, at the gym, when Dinesh found his ultimate teammate: Dipika Pallikal. For the unversed, Dipika is former Indian squash star, and back then Dipika and Dinesh had the same coach Basu Shankar. "The first time we met was at a marathon five years ago... I left without even saying bye. Slowly, we got to know each other," Dipika had shared with IANS.

Initially wary of the media noise, Dipika was won over by Dinesh’s quiet sincerity. The game-changer? He flew halfway across the world to Leeds just to see her for a few days. "Not many would do that," Dipika once told Sportskeeda.That selfless effort turned gym buddies into soulmates. Dipika became the strength he needed, proving his greatest "win" wasn't a cricket score, but a partner who truly saw him.

Photo: Dipika Pallikal/ Instagram

After winning the Champions Trophy in 2013, Dinesh proposed to Dipika in London and, ofcourse, she said 'Yes'! The couple got engaged in Chennai in 2013, and got married-- not once, but twice in 2015. Their weddings were done in both Christian and Telugu Hindu styles.

Photo: Dipika Pallikal/ Instagram

In 2021, Dinesh and Dipika became parents for the first time by welcoming their twins— Kabir Pallikal Karthik and Zian Pallikal Karthik. Post kids, Dipika took a career break for her family, while Dinesh returned to cricket. In 2024, Dinesh he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.

Photo: Dipika Pallikal/ Instagram

And now, in 2026, the couple have grown their family by becoming parents again to a daughter this time. With Kabir, Zian and now Raaha in their life-- Dipika and Dinesh are enjoying complete joy and happiness.

Here's wishing the couple many more years of happiness and togetherness!

Photo: Dipika Pallikal/ Instagram