Kolkata, Jan 2: The ICC World Cup 2015 trophy was unveiled here Friday amid cheers and celebrations that kick-started its tour to several cities in the country.

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The trophy will be taken to five more cities - Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon. It will be handed over to the champion team Mar 29 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

A 30-feet bat was placed alongside the trophy for the fans to write their messages and convey their wishes to Team India.

Fans cheered as the trophy was unveiled and clicked photographs on their cell phones at the slightest opportunity.

Present at the inauguration were cricketer Manoj Tiwary, former India batsman Debang Gandhi, former Indian women's team skipper Jhulan Goswami and chess grandmaster Dibyendu Barua and other dignitaries.

Tiwary was happy that the campaign began from Kolkata and was also delighted at having made the 30 probables list for the World Cup.

A beaming Jhulan believed that India would definitely make the semi-finals of the quadrennial tournament.

"In Australia the conditions are different, pacy and bouncy pitches, but I believe we can at least make it to the semi-finals this time around, I wish them good luck," Jhulan said.

Tiwary, Jhulan and Gandhi also signed on the 30-feet replica bat and a huge cricket ball to convey their best wishes to the team.

IANS