AI-Generated Image Falsely Depicts Josh Hazlewood Welcoming Virat Kohli

An image circulating on social media claims to depict Australian cricketer Josh Hazlewood welcoming Indian star Virat Kohli to Australia. This misleading visual has gained traction, with many users sharing it online.
Debunking the False Claim
A Facebook user captioned the viral post, “Josh Hazlewood welcomes Virat Kohli.” However, a thorough fact-check by El-Balad has confirmed that this claim is false.
Investigation Findings
The news organization conducted a reverse image search and found no credible sources that verify the image. Additionally, a review of Virat Kohli’s social media outlets revealed no postings related to this image.
Analysis of the Image
Experts noted that the facial features of both Kohli and Hazlewood appeared unusually altered, indicating digital manipulation. An AI-based tool, Hive Moderation, further analyzed the picture and affirmed that it is indeed AI-generated.
Conclusion
It is evident that the image falsely represents a scene of Hazlewood welcoming Kohli. Social media users should remain cautious about sharing unverified content. For accurate information, rely on credible news outlets like El-Balad.
How to Verify Information
- Use reverse image search tools.
- Check official social media accounts.
- Refer to established fact-checking organizations.