Krishnakumar Dinesh Karthik was born on 1 June 1985 in Chennai (then Madras), Tamil Nadu, India. He grew up in a cricket-loving family; his father, Krishnakumar, was a first-division cricketer in Chennai, and his mother, Padma (Padmini) Krishnakumar, worked at IDBI Bank and ONGC.

Karthik spent part of his childhood in Kuwait, where his father worked, attending Carmel School and Fahaheel Al‑Watanieh Indian Private School. After returning to India, he completed his schooling at Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Egmore, Chennai, balancing academics with serious cricket training.

He made his first-class debut for Tamil Nadu in the early 2000s and his India debut in 2004. Over more than two decades, he became one of India’s most experienced wicketkeeper-batters, known for his adaptability and finishing skills in limited-overs cricket, and captained sides including Tamil Nadu, India A and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

After stepping away from international cricket, Karthik moved into full-time commentary and coaching. He joined Sky Sports Cricket commentary team that included Michael Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mark Butcher, and others for the inaugural season of The Hundred in 2021. He has also worked for Star Sports and other broadcasters on major tournaments, including the World Test Championship final and ICC events.

In his personal life, Karthik is married to Indian squash star Dipika Pallikal, a Commonwealth Games gold medallist. The couple, regarded as one of India’s prominent sporting pairs, welcomed twin sons, Kabir and Zian, in October 2021 and a daughter Raaha in 2026, and divide their time between Chennai and other bases as their careers require.