The Indian sporting fraternity is currently celebrating some massive “good news”!
Former Indian wicketkeeper-batter and current Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) mentor Dinesh Karthik and his wife, international squash champion Dipika Pallikal, have officially expanded their family. Earlier today, the power couple announced the arrival of their third child—a beautiful baby girl!
From the deeply emotional Instagram announcement to the adorable name they have chosen for their daughter, here is everything you need to know about the newest addition to the Karthik-Pallikal family today!
The Adorable Announcement: Welcome, Baby Raaha!
Taking to their respective Instagram handles today, March 19, 2026, the couple shared a heartwarming collaborative post to break the news to their millions of fans.
- The Viral Post: The couple penned a deeply emotional note expressing their gratitude: “With blessings in our hearts and gratitude beyond words, we joyfully welcome our precious girl into this world.”
- The Name: The couple revealed that they have named their newborn daughter Raaha Pallikal Karthik. Interestingly, the name sounds very similar to Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s daughter, Raha, and generally symbolizes peace, a divine path, or comfort!
- The Big Brothers: The announcement also included a sweet shoutout to their elder twin sons, noting, “Kabir and Zian are thrilled to introduce their baby sister.”
From Twins to a Family of Five!
Dinesh and Dipika’s relationship has always been one of the most beloved love stories in Indian sports.
- After tying the knot in August 2015 in both traditional Hindu and Christian ceremonies, the couple embraced parenthood for the first time in 2021 when they welcomed their twin boys, Kabir and Zian.
- Dipika’s journey has been incredibly inspiring; she famously returned from her maternity leave in early 2022 to make a massive comeback, capturing two titles at the World Doubles Squash Championships and securing a bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games!
The Sporting World Reacts
The joyous announcement has completely taken over the internet, blending personal happiness with massive fan engagement. As soon as the post went live, the comment section was flooded with blessings from the global sporting community. Cricket icons like Virat Kohli, Sania Mirza, and several current IPL stars led the way in wishing the couple health and happiness for their growing family of five.
What’s Next for Dinesh Karthik?
While he is currently celebrating his newborn daughter, Karthik has a massive professional season ahead of him. After officially retiring from all forms of competitive cricket, DK has fully transitioned into elite coaching and broadcasting. He is currently gearing up to join the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) camp as their mentor and batting coach for the highly anticipated IPL 2026 season. Additionally, he was recently appointed as the Mentor and Batting Coach for the London Spirit men’s team for the upcoming season of The Hundred in the UK!
We wish Dinesh, Dipika, Kabir, and Zian a lifetime of happiness with their new little princess, Raaha!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Did Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal have a baby? Yes! On March 19, 2026, Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal announced the birth of their third child, a baby girl.
2. What is the name of Dinesh Karthik’s baby girl? The couple has named their newborn daughter Raaha Pallikal Karthik.
3. How many children do Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal have? The couple now has three children. They welcomed twin sons, Kabir and Zian, in 2021, and their daughter, Raaha, in 2026.
4. What is Dinesh Karthik doing in IPL 2026? Following his retirement from playing, Dinesh Karthik has joined the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise as their official mentor and batting coach for the IPL 2026 season.
