Preity Zinta REJECTS FAKE viral image with 14-Year-Old cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi: 'MORPHED image &..'

Preity Zinta, co-owner of Punjab Kings and a regular presence during the Indian Premier League, has publicly responded to a digitally altered image circulating on social media. The image falsely shows her hugging 14-year-old Rajasthan Royals cricketer Vaibhav Suryavanshi after a recent IPL 2025 match held in Jaipur.

The photo, which began trending shortly after the game, was widely shared across platforms and even picked up by some news outlets. In response, Zinta issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on May 20, denying any such incident and expressing concern about the use of such material.

She posted: "This is a morphed image and fake news. Am so surprised now news channels are also using morphed images and featuring them as news items!"

Have a look at the tweet here:

Zinta’s tweet pointed to broader issues regarding misinformation and the role of media in verifying content before publication. Her statement also underlines the difficulties faced by public figures in managing misinformation in an environment where manipulated content spreads quickly and can appear credible.

The timing of the incident followed Rajasthan Royals’ match where Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the youngest player in IPL history, had drawn attention with his performance. His rapid rise has made him a widely discussed figure, leading to increased media focus and social media content — some of it, as seen, not entirely authentic.

The IPL, which often draws as much attention for its off-field moments as for the matches themselves, has seen similar controversies in the past related to viral images and unverified reports. This instance adds to ongoing conversations about digital accountability, both among users and media organizations.

Zinta’s reaction serves as a reminder that public appearances, especially during high-profile events like the IPL, are increasingly subject to digital manipulation, prompting the need for caution and fact-checking before accepting viral visuals at face value.