According to Dasgupta, Indian teams historically absorbed opposition intimidation in silence, internalising their frustration and attempting to respond solely through their performances. Under Ganguly, however, the side developed a combative, fearless attitude that refused to back down. Dasgupta noted that this transformation became glaringly evident between his early days with the squad around 2001 and the historic 2003–04 tour of Australia. Affectionately known as ‘Maharaj’, Ganguly carried an innate belief that he was royalty on the field—a self-assurance that quickly radiated throughout the entire dressing room.

Ganguly led India in 196 international matches across formats, securing 97 victories, 79 defeats, and 15 draws. In Test cricket, he established himself as one of India’s most successful captains, guiding the team to 21 wins, 13 losses, and 15 draws in 49 matches. This tenacious foundation laid by Ganguly provided the launching pad for subsequent captains, such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, to elevate Indian Test cricket to even greater heights globally.

During his tenure, Ganguly orchestrated some of the most iconic triumphs in Indian cricket history. Under his leadership, India won the famous 2001 Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home, claimed the historic 2002 NatWest Series trophy in England, and shared the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy with Sri Lanka after rain washed out the final. He also led India to the final of the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup, along with memorable overseas Test victories in Leeds in 2002 and Adelaide in 2003, establishing a legacy of overseas competitiveness that endures today.