Cricket news

Do you know the story of Dinesh Karthik’s lucky charm? Know how his life changed after 2015

After being betrayed by his first wife, RCB’s star player Dinesh Karthik found his lucky charm in 2015, when he married the international squash player Dipika Pallikal.

Published

4 years ago

June 1, 2022

The current best finisher of Indian cricket, Dinesh Karthik has finally found his correct place. The wicket keeper-batsman had an in and out relation with the Indian team. Ever since MS Dhoni made his debut in international cricket, BCCI’s hunt for Rahul Dravid successor came to an end but other wicket-keepers lost their position in the team. But after facing sever struggles and taking a short break from cricket, Dinesh Karthik made a comeback worth remembering.

Very very honoured and happy to receive this award.This is one award I set my eyes on and am very happy to have got it , competing with some of the best players in the world .

Thanks @hardikpandya7 for receiving the award on my behalf with that beaming smile ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GIxkGXcrR3
— DK (@DineshKarthik) May 29, 2022

And on his 37^th birthday, let us tell you the time when Dinesh Karthik’s worst nightmare came true. Currently, the world might be applauding the cricketer for his form but there was a time when his entire world came down. Dinesh Karthik who made his debut in Indian cricket team at the age of 22 years in 2004, married his childhood best friend Nikita Vanjara in 2007.

However, it was not a love marriage. Nikita and Dinesh’s father were friend and just like old Bollywood movie they decided to turn their friendship into something more. But fate had something else stored for them. Dinesh Karthik had to divorce his wife after she cheated on him with his best friend Murli Vijay. They were official separated in 2007, when she was pregnant with Vijay’s child.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ9EFl8hYhC/

Having betrayed so badly, the cricketer was devastated and even fell out of form for a while. However, being blessed with a real good friend, cricketer Abhishek Nayar, who held DK get back in form. Nayar travelled with DK and both sweated in gym-ground and won back their place in the Indian squad. Dinesh had a good run in the ODI as well and Indian Premiere League but his life turned upside down once again, but this time for the right reasons.

After being single for too long Dinesh Karthik got attracted to Indian Squad player Dipika Pallikal, who became his lucky charm. For those who don’t know Dipika Pallikal is the first Indian to break into the top 10 of World squash ranking (PSA). She also won the prestigious Arjuna Award at the age of 21 and later she also received the Padma Shree Award in 2014. She also scripted history by winning India’s first-ever gold at the Commonwealth Games 2014.

https://www.instagram.com/p/tSs0dPNX2M/

Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal used to train at the same gym however they never collided because the squash player likes to train early in the morning at 6. Dinesh chased Dipika for a while until she eventually agreed to meet him only once, as Dipika never liked cricketer as she believed that they take away all the limelight from other sports as well.

But She did find Dinesh interesting and ended up talking to him for four hours in the first meet. Later the same year, they got engaged and later in 2015, they got married in just the presence of their families and friends.

https://www.instagram.com/p/7xSEsItX4I/

Ever since Karthik has also improved his game a lot. The couple also owns a luxurious house in Chennai and are neighbour to South superstar Rajnikanth. And this year Dinesh Karthik was again bought by RCB for 5.5 crores. DK was at his best and came like a storm by giving jitters to death overs bowlers in IPL 2022. He was not out for 10 times in 16 innings and was one of the major reasons why RCB could qualify for the play-offs.

The couple were blessed with twins, Kabir and Zain in October 2021 and in just six months of their birth, Dipika made a comeback in international squash and once again scripted history by winning the gold medal in 2012. However, sadly after achieving so much the athlete is only known as the wife of cricketer Dinesh Karthik.

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Abhishek Sharma smashes 113 off 38 balls as India beat New Zealand in 3rd ODI

Abhishek Sharma hammered 113 off just 38 balls as India chased down New Zealand’s 199-run target in 13.2 overs, winning the third T20I by six wickets.

Published

1 week ago

October 27, 2026

APNLive Desk

Abhishek Sharma delivered a stunning batting performance in the third T20 International against New Zealand in Wellington, smashing 113 off just 38 balls to power India’s chase of 199. India reached the target in 13.2 overs, winning the match by six wickets.

The Indian opener’s explosive innings proved decisive as India chased down New Zealand’s total of 198/3. His aggressive approach put the hosts under pressure and helped India complete the chase with plenty of overs to spare.

Abhishek Sharma leads India’s chase

Abhishek’s 113-run knock off 38 deliveries was the standout performance of the contest. His innings provided India with the momentum needed to pursue the 199-run target at a rapid pace.

The century also made Abhishek the central figure of the third T20I, with his power-hitting dominating the contest. India’s successful chase underlined the impact of his innings in a match where New Zealand had posted a substantial total.

India chase down 199 against New Zealand

New Zealand scored 198/3 in their innings, setting India a target of 199. However, India’s batters responded with an aggressive chase, reaching the target in just 13.2 overs.

The six-wicket victory gave India an important result in the five-match T20I series. Abhishek’s century was the defining contribution of the match, ensuring that the visitors completed the chase comfortably.

Abhishek Sharma’s innings takes the spotlight

Abhishek’s quickfire century was the major talking point from the Wellington encounter. Scoring 113 runs from only 38 balls, he combined scoring speed with the ability to keep India’s chase firmly on track.

His performance will be among the key highlights of the third T20I as India continue their campaign against New Zealand.

Cricket news

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to win Asian Games cricket gold

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final to retain the gold medal in the competition.

Published

1 month ago

October 3, 2026

APNLive Desk

India defeated Pakistan by 19 runs in the men’s cricket final at the Asian Games 2026 on Saturday to retain the gold medal.

India posted 211 for six after being sent in to bat, before restricting Pakistan to 192 for six in their 20 overs. The victory gave India their second successive Asian Games gold medal in men’s cricket.

India post 211 in final

India’s batting was led by Abhishek Sharma, who scored 61 off 28 balls, while Tilak Varma contributed 51 off 22 balls.

The two batters provided the momentum as India reached 211 for six from their 20 overs.

India captain Shreyas Iyer had won the toss and elected to bat first in the final.

Pakistan fall 19 runs short

Pakistan’s chase was anchored by Hasan Nawaz, who made 96 from 51 balls. Saim Ayub added 29 from 22 balls, but Pakistan finished on 192 for six after 20 overs.

India’s Axar Patel and Washington Sundar each took two wickets as Pakistan fell short of the target.

The result secured the gold medal for India, while Pakistan finished with silver. Sri Lanka won the bronze medal after defeating Bangladesh in the bronze-medal match.

India retain Asian Games cricket title

The victory marked India’s second consecutive men’s cricket gold medal at the Asian Games. India had also won the men’s cricket gold at the Hangzhou edition.

India’s victory over Pakistan also completed a gold-medal double for the country in cricket at the 2026 Asian Games, after the women’s team won the women’s cricket final earlier in the competition.

Cricket news

Jasprit Bumrah becomes first Indian to play T20Is in 13 countries

Jasprit Bumrah became the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries after featuring against Sri Lanka in Japan.

Published

1 month ago

October 1, 2026

APNLive Desk

Jasprit Bumrah added another milestone to his international career on Thursday after taking the field for India against Sri Lanka in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket semifinal in Japan.

Bumrah’s appearance at Nishin made him the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries, according to the report. He moved ahead of former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have each played T20Is in 12 countries.

Bumrah’s 13-country T20I record

Before playing in Japan, Bumrah had represented India in T20Is in 12 other countries — India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the United States, West Indies and Zimbabwe.

His appearance in Japan took the tally to 13. Kohli, Rohit and Bhuvneshwar had played in all of those countries except Japan, leaving Bumrah alone at the top of the list.

Kohli and Rohit cannot add to their totals as both have retired from T20I cricket, according to the source.

Bumrah shines against Sri Lanka

Bumrah also made an immediate impact in his first T20I appearance in Japan. He claimed two wickets in his opening over against Sri Lanka and finished with figures of 2/7 in two overs.

India went on to dismiss Sri Lanka for 45 in 9.5 overs and won the semifinal by 124 runs to book a place in the Asian Games 2026 men’s cricket final.

The result set up an India-Pakistan gold-medal clash, scheduled for October 3.

Jasprit Bumrah has become the first Indian to play T20I cricket in 13 different countries. His appearance against Sri Lanka in Japan took him past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who have played T20Is in 12 countries each.