Former India opener Virender Sehwag has credited Sourav Ganguly as the chief architect of the fearless culture that came to define the Indian cricket team, calling the former captain's influence transformative. Sehwag made the remarks on 6 October 2026 in Mumbai, during promotional events for the second season of the streaming reality show Rise & Fall, which he now hosts.

Sehwag on Ganguly's philosophy

'I would say the entire credit should go to Dada for making a fearless team,' Sehwag said. 'When he took over the reins as the captain, he clearly told us that we will play the game that opponent plays.'

Sehwag elaborated that Ganguly's approach was rooted in a straightforward principle of reciprocity: match the opponent's intensity, no more and no less. 'If the Australians sledge us, we will also sledge back. If someone shows us love and respect on the field, we will reciprocate that. So, I would say Dada is one of the chief architects of the Indian cricket team,' he added.

Winning abroad: a shift in mindset

Sehwag also reflected on the broader strategic shift under Ganguly's captaincy, noting that during that era, Team India placed a clear emphasis on winning matches on foreign soil — a departure from the defensive, draw-for-survival mindset that had previously defined Indian cricket overseas. Ganguly led India in 49 Tests, achieving 21 victories, including landmark series wins in England, West Indies, and Pakistan.

This comes amid renewed public interest in Ganguly's legacy as India's golden generation of cricketers continues to reflect on what set their team apart. Sehwag's comments reinforce a widely held view among that cohort — that the cultural shift under Ganguly was as significant as any tactical innovation.

Sehwag's new role on 'Rise & Fall'

Away from cricket, Sehwag has taken over hosting duties from Ashneer Grover for Season 2 of Rise & Fall. The reality series pits 15 contestants against each other over 42 days in a competition structured around power, strategy, alliances, and shifting fortunes. Contestants are split between the Rulers, who manage the game from the Tower, and the Workers, who operate from the Basement and strive to move up.

Season 2 introduces an audience participation element, giving viewers the ability to influence whether a contestant becomes a Ruler or a Worker — a dynamic absent from the first season. The show is produced by Banijay Asia and streams on Amazon MX Player.

Ganguly's enduring impact on Indian cricket

Ganguly's tenure as captain from 2000 to 2005 is widely regarded as the period that reshaped India's cricketing identity. His insistence on aggressive, fearless cricket — epitomised by India's historic 2001 series win against Australia at home — remains a touchstone for subsequent generations of Indian cricketers. Sehwag, who debuted under Ganguly's leadership, was among the most direct beneficiaries of that culture, going on to become one of the most destructive openers the game has seen.

As India's current generation navigates its own leadership transitions, the lessons of the Ganguly era continue to resonate — and, as Sehwag's remarks suggest, are far from forgotten.