Dinesh Karthik is a wicket-keeper batsman who plays for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. He made his international debut in 2004 and since then has played for the Indian cricket team in ODIs, Tests and T20Is.

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal

Dinesh Karthik made his debut in 2004, at the age of 18, but could not find a permanent spot ever in the Indian team and thereby, he was not listed in the team during the 2007 World Cup, 2011 World Cup and 2015 World Cup. He was finally selected in India's 15-member squad for the 2019 World Cup.

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal

After the arrival of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik's chances for appearing India were slick as Dhoni struck a couple of centuries early in his ODI career. Dinesh Karthik like Parthiv Patel also paid price for inconsistent wicket-keeping and was dropped in favour of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Dhoni went on to become one of the most successful captains ever in Indian cricket history.

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal

Dinesh Karthik finally had his moment in international cricket, when in the Nidahas Trophy final in 2018 against Bangladesh, Karthik struck an unbeaten 29 off 8 balls. This knock won India the match and transformed Karthik into a national hero. Dinesh Karthik struck a last-ball six to clinch the title for India. Ever since then, Dinesh Karthik has been playing regularly in the Indian team solely as a batsman.

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal and friends

Dinesh Karthik was born in Tamil Nadu and took up cricket at the age of 10. He was coached by his father in his early years and made an impact in U-16 and U-19 cricket in Tamil Nadu.

Dinesh Karthik posted this picture with Dipika Pallikal and wrote, "Me and my Dragon."

Dinesh Karthik has two centuries in Tests and ODI cricket. The Tamil Nadu cricketer has a total of 18 half-centuries in international cricket (Tests and ODIs).

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal during IPL

Dinesh Karthik is known to be a very fit cricketer and takes his fitness very seriously. Over a long period of time, Dinesh Karthik has maintained his fitness standards and very rarely, Karthik has missed cricket due to injury. Dinesh Karthik also doubles up as wicket-keeper and keeps his standards very high in terms of preparation and work ethic.

In pic: Dinesh Karthik watches on as Dipika Pallikal gives a speech to avid listeners.

Dinesh Karthik in recent times has been in fine form and has taken his game to the next level.

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal and their pet dog

Dinesh Karthik is the captain of Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL and he led the team in fine fashion in 2018 by taking the team into the eliminator. Unfortunately, Kolkata Knight Riders lost the eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad and failed to qualify for the final.

Dinesh Karthik played the first edition of the IPL in 2008 for Delhi Daredevils where he impressed with the bat and gloves. 

Dinesh Karthik posted this picture with wife Dipika Pallikal and wrote, "Happy Women’s Day to all you wonder women out there! I’m so fortunate to always have such an inspiring woman by my side!"

In 2011, Dinesh Karthik joined the Kings XI Punjab for an estimated Rs. 6 crore. In 2012, Dinesh Karthik became part of Mumbai Indians for a rumoured sum of Rs. 12.4 crore. In 2014, Dinesh Karthik joined Delhi Daredevils again for Rs. 12.5 crore.

In 2015, Dinesh Karthik was bought by Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore for Rs. 10.5 crores. In the 2018 IPL auctions, Dinesh Karthik was bought by Shah Rukh Khan's KKR for Rs. 7.6 crores and subsequently was made the captain of the team.

Dinesh Karthik's posted this picture with wife Dipika Pallikal and captioned, '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 wd a Gold medal from the Commonwealth Games, today as she lands for yet another commonwealth games after 4 long years of hard work, 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. #gc2018'

Dinesh Karthik has scored 1,025 runs in the 26 Test matches played at an average of 25. Dinesh Karthik's highest score is an unbeaten 129 against Bangladesh in 2007. The stylish Tamil Nadu player was also part of the Indian squad against England in 2007, where India defeated England 2-1 and won their first Test series in England since 1986.

Dinesh Karthik is one of the very few players who has been part of the Indian Premier League from the beginning i.e 2008.

In IPL 2018, Dinesh Karthik was appointed as the new captain of Kolkata Knight Riders. Dinesh Karthik replaced Gautam Gambhir, who had led the franchise for seven years. The wicket-keeper batsman surprised many people with his captaincy and Kolkata reached the Last Four stage before losing to Hyderabad in a close match.

Dinesh Karthik made his T20I debut for India against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2006. Karthik was also part of the winning squad in 2007 World T20. In the tournament, Karthik played sporadically but took a superb catch of South African captain Graeme Smith in the slips in a league match.

Dinesh Karthik also took part in the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy, coming on the back of strong T20 League for Mumbai. India went on to win the tournament and Karthik mostly played as a specialist batsman, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni occupying the wicket-keeper's slot.

The talented wicket-keeper batsman has played 157 first-class matches, scoring 9,214 runs at an average of 59.20. Dinesh Karthik has been a stalwart of Tamil Nadu cricket and one of the main reasons for Tamil Nadu's success in domestic cricket is due to Karthik's strong performance both as a batsman and also as a captain

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal

Dinesh Karthik is also part of an unwanted record. While playing against Sri Lanka, Karthik faced 18 deliveries without scoring a single run against Sri Lanka. It is the most number of deliveries played by an Indian batsman for scoring no run in ODIs. The record was previously held by Eknath Solkar who got out on duck after playing 17 balls against England at The Oval in 1974.

In pic: Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal and family.

Dipika Pallikal Karthik along with her per dog. Dinesh Karthik always maintains that these two are very close to him.

Dinesh Karthik and Dipika Pallikal look dapper in this photoshoot at a field. He wrote, "Always has my back." We 

Amid the nationwide lockdown due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Dinesh Karthik shared this photo along with Dipika Pallikal and wrote, "Finding the light at the end of this tunnel."

Dinesh Karthik shows off his humourous side in this photo. He aptly captioned it, "The grass is always greener on the other side."