Fact Checks Debunk Viral Claims About Pitch Photo and Tampering Ahead of T20 World Cup Final

Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final in Ahmedabad, two viral claims sparked controversy. An image showing New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner photographing the pitch was confirmed as AI-generated and unrelated to past events. Separately, allegations that former England captain Nasser Hussain exposed pitch tampering at Narendra Modi Stadium were debunked; fact-checks found no evidence or credible reports supporting such claims, with Hussain's actual comments addressing broader cricket politics without specific accusations.