Dinesh Karthik, Dipika Pallikal blessed with third child; name her Raaha – same as Alia-Ranbir’s daughter

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik and Indian squash star Dipika Pallikal have welcomed their third child, a baby girl. The couple has named their daughter Raaha Pallikal Karthik. They took to social media to share the happy news with fans.

Karthik wrote, “With blessings in our hearts and gratitude beyond words, we joyfully welcome our precious girl into this world. Kabir and Zian are thrilled to introduce their baby sister, Raaha Pallikal Karthik. Love, Dipika & Dinesh.”

The couple already has twin sons, Kabir and Zian, and Raaha is their younger sister. Netizens showered love on the newborn. Virat Kohli, Sania Mirza and Shikhar Dhawan also extended their wishes on social media. Kohli posted a simple heart emoji in the comments, while Dhawan and Mirza congratulated the couple.

However, netizens also gushed over the baby girl’s name, Raaha, which is also the name of Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor’s daughter.

Karthik made his Test debut against Australia in 2004 and played his final red-ball match in 2018 against England. In 26 Tests, he scored 1,025 runs at an average of 25, including one century and seven fifties.

In ODIs, he debuted at Lord’s against England in 2004 and played his last match during the 2019 Cricket World Cup against New Zealand. He amassed 1,752 runs in 94 matches at an average of 30.20, with nine half-centuries.

In T20 Internationals, Karthik debuted in 2006 against South Africa and played his final match in November 2022 against Bangladesh. Across 60 matches, he scored 686 runs at an average of 26.38, including one half-century.