07 December,2014 07:15 AM IST | | A Correspondent
Cricketer Dinesh Karthik says he and his squash star fiancee Dipika Pallikal go about their respective jobs - sports, in this case - just like regular couples go to work through the week
Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal after she won gold in the squash women's doubles at the CWG in Glasgow earlier this year
They are Indian sports' hottest couple at the moment and have been in the spotlight ever since their relationship was announced last November, but squash star Dipika Pallikal and cricketer Dinesh Karthik would like the world to think of them as any other normal couple.
Dinesh Karthik with Dipika Pallikal after she won gold in the squash women's doubles at the CWG in Glasgow earlier this year
In a recent interview with The Hindu, the couple said that they go about their respective jobs - sports, in this case - like any other regular couple, and even try and make time to meet up with each other in between tournaments, like regular couples would do.
"We're like any other normal couple and when we're away, it's just like the husband and wife going to work all through the week," said former India wicketkeeper-batsman Karthik (29).
Good understanding
Dipika (23) felt the fact that they are both professional sportspersons, helps make their relationship stronger. "I'd like to think that being in the same profession we understand each other quite well.
We have tight schedules all the time and sometimes, hardly get to see each other. But we know we're there for each other," said Dipika, who created history by winning India's first Commonwealth Games women's doubles gold medal in squash alongwith Joshna Chinappa in Glasgow earlier this year.
Dipika Pallikal
The couple keenly follow each other's sporting career too. "It's my duty to follow Dinesh's matches. Whenever he plays, I keep a tab on the scores and how he's playing and all of that. And he does the same too. Once the match is over, we speak to each other to discuss how it went," said Dipika.
"I follow her matches⦠I think I'm her emotional anchor, to an extent. When it comes to sport, I help her in whatever little way I can," said Dinesh. The couple will be tying the knot in the middle of next year following two years of courtship.
