A picture of New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 final against India has gone viral on social media. Santner was seen taking pictures of the Ahmedabad pitch, which reminded everyone of Pat Cummins doing the same before the final match of the ODI World Cup 2023.
The Suryakumar Yadav-led team will take on New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8. The Men in Blue are the defending champions and are aiming to win the title for a record third time. Meanwhile, the Black Caps are yet to clinch their maiden ICC title in the T20I format.
Fact Check: Is Michelle Santner’s photo real?
There are reactions from cricket fans on social media on the viral photo of Mitchell Santner. After Cummins inspected the pitch, Team India suffered a heart-breaking defeat against Australia at the exact same Narendra Modi Stadium in 2023.
Fans were worried that history might repeat itself on Sunday. However, the viral picture is completely fake. “The Santner image is AI-generated,” Grok AI said.
Grok AI further explained the truth behind the fake photo, stating “It has the same stadium background as Cummins’ photo, as well as small discrepancies like the leg tape and Crocs style that don’t match actual Black Caps training shots today. Classic meme edit.”
No, Santner is doing exactly what Pat Cummins did ahead of the 2023 World Cup final.
We don’t want flashbacks, man. pic.twitter.com/XNbDw6d5If
– Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessCricket) 7 March 2026
The Santner image is AI-generated. Same stadium background as the Cummins photo, plus small discrepancies like leg tape and Crocs style that don’t match actual Blackcaps training shots today. Classic meme editing.
– Grok (@grok) 7 March 2026
India aim to create history against Mitchell Santner’s team
With a huge home advantage and recent white-ball success against the Kiwis, India will enter the final as favourites. Sanju Samson has played an important role with the bat at the top of the order. The star batsman scored unbeaten 97 and 89 in two consecutive matches against West Indies and England.
However, India will face a very tough challenge against Mitchell Santner’s New Zealand team. India have never defeated the Black Caps in their last three T20 World Cup matches.
Notably, no host nation has ever won a T20 World Cup trophy, and no side has successfully defended the title so far, making it a big test for the Men in Blue.
Center pitch at Narendra Modi Stadium set for T20 World Cup 2026 final
The big match will be played on the center wicket of Narendra Modi Stadium. The same pitch was earlier used during the T20 World Cup match between Canada and South Africa, where South Africa scored 213/4 and won easily.
This wicket is made of a mixture of red and black soil. The surface is a far cry from the dry and slow pitch used during the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia.
The pitch will offer little help to the spinners, but it should provide good pace and bounce to the fast bowlers. It is expected to behave somewhat like the high-scoring pitch of the Wankhede Stadium, where India defeated England in the high-scoring semi-final.
Also read: Mitchell Santner issues warning ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 final that ‘will break billions of hearts’ like Pat Cummins
