The Little Master, Sachin Tendulkar has been named 2015 Cricket World Cup Ambassador by the ICC (International Cricket Council) on 22 December 2014. It is the second time, Sachin will be named as the ambassador of the World cup event after he already held it in 2011 (consecutive terms). He is considered the all-time runs scorer in the world cup history.Â
As an ambassador of the 2015 World Cup event, he would promote and provide various support to the ICC in promoting the tournament. The ICC’s 2015 Cricket World Cup is considered the 3rd biggest sporting contest in the world that is taking place at Australia and New Zealand from 14 February to 29 March 2015.
The 11 th edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup will start in Christchurch on February 14 where New Zealand plays against former co-host and runner-up Sri Lanka. The 10 th edition of ICC cricket world cup was hosted by India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Tendulkar added the 2011 World Cup title (Sixth edition of the event) to his long list of achievements in his sixth attempt in 2011 after missing the title for long time.
The Little Master retired from international cricket last year after playing for India in 200 Tests, 463 One-Dayers and one Twenty20 International. In a career span of 24 years, the 41-year-old scored a total of 34,357 international runs and 100 centuries. He is the all-time leading run scorer in World Cup history with 2,278 runs in 45 matches at an average of 56.95. He has achieved many titles like Player of the Tournament as India finished as runner-up to Australia with his 673 runs in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.
“The ICC is delighted to once again have Sachin as an Ambassador for its biggest and most prestigious tournament. Sachin is not only an inspiration to cricketers but to all sports people for his endurance, perseverance, talent, personality and commitment to the game,”  was said by ICC Chief Executive David Richardson.
“I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the ICC’s Cricket World Cup Ambassador for the second successive time. After playing in the last six editions, the upcoming World Cup will be a different experience as I will follow it from the sidelines. It could probably be comparable to the ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 where I was a ball boy, enthusiastically cheering every ball. The excitement of the World Cup grows with every new edition and this year’s host nations, Australia and New Zealand, are known for their sporting culture, great cricket facilities and knowledgeable crowds. Lifting the World Cup is every international cricketer’s quest and the tournament brings out the best of individuals and competing teams” was said by Sachin Tendulkar at the event, where he was named the 2015 Cricket World Cup Ambassador.
He has added that “The image of the champion team lifting the World Cup inspires many youngsters around the world and gives them a dream to chase – a dream which I fulfilled after 22 years of relentless pursuit by being part of the victorious Indian team in 2011.”
Recently Sachin Tendulkar was honoured by Guinness World Records on its 60th Anniversary for his achievements and contributions to the sport. He also recently unveiled his autobiography titled “Playing It My Way”.
Total of 49 matches will be played across 14 venues, 7 at New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Napier, Nelson and Wellington) and 7 at Australia (Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney). The format of the tournament is, two groups of 7 sides each, quarter-finals, semi-finals and final. All the knock-out stage matches will have reserve days, similar to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. Other than 10 Full Members, four qualifiers will take part in the event (Afghanistan, Ireland, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates)