Background of the Relationship
Dinesh Karthik, one of India’s most technically sound wicketkeepers, was married to Nikita Vanjara, a childhood friend, and the daughter of Karthik’s father’s close associate. Their marriage took place in 2007, when Karthik was just 21 and his cricketing career was still budding.
Their relationship was initially portrayed as a classic tale of young love. Dinesh and Nikita had reportedly known each other for several years before tying the knot. Nikita often appeared supportive during his early cricketing days and was a familiar presence in social circles. However, behind the picture-perfect image, cracks had begun to appear in their relationship by the early 2010s, though none of it was public at the time.
The Affair That Shook Indian Cricket
The major controversy erupted in 2012 when reports began to surface about a growing closeness between Nikita Vanjara and Dinesh Karthik’s Tamil Nadu teammate, Murali Vijay. The revelation shocked the Indian cricket fraternity because both Vijay and Karthik had played together in domestic cricket and were considered close friends.
The situation escalated dramatically when it came to light that Nikita was allegedly pregnant with Murali Vijay’s child while still married to Karthik. This development made the controversy not just a personal betrayal but a scandal that grabbed headlines across the cricketing world.
Dinesh Karthik reportedly discovered the affair during a domestic T20 tournament in 2012. Upon learning about the relationship between his wife and his teammate, he immediately filed for divorce and separated from Nikita.
Divorce and Fallout
The divorce between Dinesh Karthik and Nikita Vanjara was finalized quickly and, by many accounts, quietly. Despite the deeply personal and emotional trauma, Karthik chose to remain dignified and silent in public. He never gave interviews about the issue and maintained a stoic front, focusing instead on his cricket career.
His silence earned him widespread respect from fans and peers alike, as he did not let personal issues spill into the public domain or affect team morale. He continued playing for Tamil Nadu and the Indian national team, showing immense mental resilience in the face of adversity.
Nikita Vanjara, meanwhile, began a new life with Murali Vijay. The couple reportedly got married shortly after her divorce from Karthik, and they have since had three children together. While neither Vijay nor Nikita have publicly commented on the origins of their relationship, they have continued to maintain a low-profile family life.
Public and Media Reactions
The media frenzy surrounding the scandal was intense but short-lived. Owing to Karthik’s maturity and refusal to fuel speculation, the controversy did not drag on for years like some other celebrity splits. Still, the love triangle is often cited in retrospectives and gossip columns as one of the more dramatic off-field episodes in Indian cricket.
Fans had mixed reactions. While many sympathized with Karthik, others questioned Vijay’s ethics in pursuing a relationship with his teammate’s wife. Some fans accused Nikita of betrayal, while others reminded people not to judge personal relationships based on hearsay.
Social media was abuzz with speculation at the time, and even now, the incident resurfaces whenever either player hits the headlines.
Life After the Controversy
Dinesh Karthik has since moved on both personally and professionally. In 2015, he married Indian squash champion Dipika Pallikal, and the couple has been a picture of strength and positivity. They welcomed twin boys in 2021 via surrogacy and continue to be one of Indian sports’ most admired couples.
Murali Vijay continued to represent India in Tests and played in the IPL for teams like CSK and Kings XI Punjab. While he eventually faded from the national team, he has had a respectable career and has shifted focus to family life and business interests.
Nikita Vanjara, now Nikita Vijay, has stayed away from media limelight, occasionally seen at cricket matches with her children.
Summary
This episode remains one of the most dramatic relationship controversies in Indian cricket history. It was a complex mix of friendship, betrayal, public scrutiny, and personal growth. While the scandal hurt those involved, it also highlighted the maturity with which Dinesh Karthik handled a deeply painful chapter, ultimately emerging stronger, both as a cricketer and as a person.
