Dinesh Karthik engaged to squash ace Dipika Pallikal

India and Tamil Nadu wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik got engaged to the Indian squash ace Dipika Pallikal at the Taj Grand Chola in Chennai. Karthik, who failed to make the cut for the South Africa tour, recently went through a tumultuous time in his first marriage to Nitika Karthik, whom he married in 2007. Following his bitter divorce, Karthik had vowed to concentrate on his cricket to keep his mind off it.

However, he and Dipika attended fitness sessions under the same coach and got along very well. With time, they gelled well together and having kept things under wraps for one full year, they have now taken their relationship to the next level by getting engaged.

Karthik made the Indian team in 2004 and has often been in and out of the side. Consistent performances in the domestic circuit coupled with good showing in IPL 2012 brought him back in national reckoning, giving him a chance to feature in the ICC Champions Trophy 2013 as well as India's tour of Zimbabwe.

Pallikal, who is the first Indian woman to break into the top 10 in the world rankings, is considered to be one of the most beautiful sportspersons in the country today.