Kohli named 2015 WC's ambassador along with four others

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday announced the star studded appointment of its ambassadors for next year's Cricket World Cup and India's Virat Kohli is a part of the five member group.

Accompanying Kohli would be Australian fast-bowler Mitchell Johnson, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum, Sri Lanka's former captain Kumar Sangakkara and Australia's Shane Watson.

The ICC Ambassadors would add their support and considerable profile in the build-up to and during the 2015 Cricket World Cup; including involvement in the board's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme and event promotions.

Kohli, a star for India in their victorious 2011 Cricket World Cup campaign, said that it is a matter of pride to be selected as the ambassador of ICC and thanked the board for bestowing this honour upon him.

The star batsman said that as a cricketer, he wishes to spread the passion of cricket to grassroot levels and looks at this as an opportunity to unify global initiatives for cricket throughout the world.

Meanwhile, Australian fast bowler and World Cup winner, Johnson, was delighted to be part of the elite group that would be supporting the mega tournament.

Johnson said that as Australia and New Zealand gear up to host ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, he is extremely proud and delighted to be associated with the competition as an ambassador. He added that he looks forward to helping promote what is set to be a fascinating tournament with some outstanding teams gearing up to claim cricket's most coveted prize.

Moreover, New Zealand skipper McCullum, who has featured in the past three World Cups, said that with the World Cup just months away, no doubt all countries would be actively plotting and planning their campaigns.

He added that after representing New Zealand at three previous Cricket World Cups, it is very humbling to be presented the opportunity to be an ambassador of this edition of the tournament and also the ICC during World Cup year.

Former Sri Lanka captain Sangakkara, who featured in the 2007 and 2011 finals in the West Indies and India, said that he is honoured to have been appointed an ambassador for the forthcoming ICC World Cup in Australia next year alongside some great players.

He added that the ICC World Cup is the showpiece event in the global game for both players and fans, a festival of cricket that invariably provides compelling entertainment.

The former skipper said that as an event ambassador he hopes to assist the ICC in promoting the values and excitement of the World Cup, as well as supporting the ICC's significant community programmes off the field that have become an important part of this great event.

Watson, one of the world's leading all-rounders who tasted World Cup glory in 2007, commented that he is very honoured and thrilled to be an ambassador for the ICC and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015.

He added that having played in the 2007 and 2011 World Cup campaigns, it truly is a special occasion and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a World Cup at home against the best teams in the world.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 would start on 14 February and end on 29 March.