Dinesh Karthik Wishes Luck to His CWG-Bound Wife Dipika Pallikal

Dinesh Karthik is married to India’s top squash player Dipika Pallikal.

Dinesh Karthik wishes luck to his wife Dipika Pallikal, India’s top squash player.

(Photo: Instagram)

The 2018 Commonwealth Games and the eleventh edition of the IPL both start this week and there is one household in India that is equally invested in both events.

Cricketer Dinesh Karthik starts his first stint as an IPL team captain from 7 April when he takes over the reigns of Kolkata Knight Riders. However, he will have one eye in Australia as his wife Dipika Pallikal, India’s top squash player, looks to defend her gold medal in the women’s doubles event at Gold Coast.

As the couple embarked on their respective challenges, Karthik posted an emotional message for his wife.

The couple was engaged four years back when Dipika won her gold medal with Joshna Chinappa in the women’s doubles event after upsetting the top seeded English pair of Jenny Duncalf and Laura Massaro in Glasgow.

It was the first time ever that India had won a gold in the discipline at the Commonwealth Games.

To be able to support my wife to achieve her goals is everything to me! 4 years back we both got on a plane heading home with a Gold medal from the Commonwealth games , today as she lands for yet another commonwealth games after 4 long years of hardwork , I can only hope that she has a time of her life in Gold Coast. These 4 years have been tough, she’s worked hard, lived out of a suitcase for many months, looked after our home, supported me through everything and yet never once complained about anything. For me to be able to support her is everything. To everyone competing at the Commonwealth games in Gold Coast –Good Luck. Make some memories and more importantly enjoy each moment.

Dinesh Karthik’s Instagram post

Interestingly, Karthik and Dipika’s brother-in-law Saurav Ghosal will also be competing at the Commonwealth Games. Ghosal, India’s top male squash player, is married to Dipika’s elder sister.

While speaking to the media after landing in Kolkata, Karthik also added that there were things from her wife’s dedication to her sport that he himself also had picked up.

One thing I’ve learnt from her is a lot of determination. She’s worked really hard especially for the CWG. Four years back she won gold in Glasgow. As a player, the most important thing is to be able to repeat it and be consistent. She’ worked really hard in the last four years to get a gold again. She’s already in Gold Coast. It’s a very important two weeks in her life.

Dinesh Karthik, KKR Captain

Kolkata Knight Riders start their campaign on Sunday when they take on Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens.

Dipika Pallikal and the rest of the Indian squash contingent will be in action on the 5th for the preliminary rounds of the singles events.