NEW DELHI: Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta has recalled how Sourav Ganguly transformed the mindset of the Indian team, particularly in its response to sledging, with the former wicketkeeper-batter saying the captain’s “I am the king” attitude gradually rubbed off on the rest of the squad.Dasgupta, who represented India in eight Tests and five ODIs, reflected on the cultural shift in the team during Ganguly’s captaincy. He traced the origins of the fearless and combative approach that became associated with Indian cricket in the 2000s to Ganguly’s leadership, particularly when comparing his first tour of Australia with the historic 2003-04 visit.

‘Under Ganguly, if someone sledged, we started to give it back’

According to Dasgupta, the change was not simply about responding to opposition provocation but about developing a different personality as a team. He said the Indian side previously tended to absorb the anger generated by sledging and use it as motivation, whereas under Ganguly, players became more willing to confront opponents.“Under Ganguly, if someone sledged, we started to give it back. Rather than saying, ‘I will channel it’, while we used to channel it, we would give it back as well. His nickname is Maharaj. So, he’s always had that idea that ‘I am the king.’ And it started reflecting on the team as well,” Dasgupta said on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan.Dasgupta explained that the change was particularly visible when he compared his experiences in Australia. He said the team continued to use sledging and provocation as motivation, but increasingly began expressing its aggression rather than keeping it entirely internal.“Now, while we were still doing that, we were expressing it as well. I think between my first tour and my last tour in Australia in 2003, you could see that change. Earlier, it was controlled and internal. But by the time we came to 2003, if someone said something, we would give it back,” he added.

Ganguly’s record as India captain

Ganguly led India in 196 international matches, winning 97, losing 79 and drawing 15. In Tests, he captained India in 49 matches, winning 21, losing 13 and drawing 15.His tenure included some of India’s most memorable overseas and home victories, including the famous 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph, the Test win at Leeds in 2002 and the victory in Adelaide in 2003. India also reached the 2003 World Cup final under Ganguly, while his side famously won the NatWest Trophy in England and shared the 2002 Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka after the final was washed out.