Former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta has recalled how Sourav Ganguly transformed the mindset of the Indian cricket team during his captaincy, particularly when it came to dealing with sledging from opponents. Dasgupta said Ganguly encouraged Indian players to respond rather than simply accept verbal exchanges from rival teams, helping create a more assertive attitude within the dressing room. Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, Dasgupta, who represented India in eight Tests and five One-Day Internationals, reflected on the cultural change he witnessed during Ganguly's leadership. According to the former wicketkeeper-batter, the approach towards sledging was among the areas where the team began to display a noticeable change in attitude.

Dasgupta said Indian players had traditionally been more reluctant to respond when opponents attempted to unsettle them verbally. Under Ganguly, however, the team developed a willingness to give it back to the opposition. The change was not simply about exchanging words on the field, but reflected a broader shift in confidence and competitiveness within the Indian side. The former cricketer also highlighted Ganguly's personality and self-belief as an important influence on his teammates. He described the former captain as having an “I am the King” mindset, suggesting that Ganguly's confidence and refusal to be intimidated by opponents gradually rubbed off on other members of the team.

That attitude helped Indian players approach international cricket with greater belief in their ability to compete against the world's leading teams. Ganguly's captaincy is widely associated with a period when Indian cricket developed a stronger emphasis on aggression, resilience and the willingness to compete in challenging situations. Dasgupta's recollection focuses on the psychological side of that transformation, particularly the team's response to opponents attempting to gain an advantage through sledging. Instead of allowing such tactics to dominate the contest, Indian players increasingly showed that they were prepared to respond.

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For Dasgupta, this represented a significant cultural shift within the Indian dressing room. The change in attitude was reflected not only in interactions between players but also in the team's broader approach to international competition. Ganguly's leadership encouraged players to believe they belonged at the highest level and could stand up to opponents regardless of reputation or home advantage. Dasgupta's comments provide an insight into the influence Ganguly had beyond his performances as a batter and captain. His leadership helped shape a more confident identity for the Indian team, with players increasingly willing to challenge opponents rather than remain passive.

The former cricketer's recollection suggests that the change in response to sledging was one visible example of a much larger transformation in India's cricketing mindset during Ganguly's tenure. The former India player, who featured in a limited number of international matches, experienced that transition from within the team environment. His account adds to the discussion around Ganguly's legacy as a captain who helped instil greater self-belief among Indian cricketers. The “I am the King” mentality that Dasgupta associated with Ganguly ultimately became part of a wider team culture in which confidence, competitiveness and the willingness to respond to opponents became increasingly prominent.

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