The West Indies cricket team’s recent tour of India has shone a harsh spotlight on the deep-rooted challenges plaguing Caribbean cricket, as the visitors suffered a sobering innings and 140-run defeat in the first Test at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on October 4, 2025. This latest loss—completed in just over two and a half days—marked the Windies’ fourth consecutive Test defeat and their fifth in six outings this year, amplifying concerns about a decline that has been described as both severe and ongoing since the start of the millennium.
West Indies captain Roston Chase, visibly dejected after the defeat, addressed the media with a candor that underscored the gravity of the situation. "I think the systems in the Caribbean are a bit poor in terms of training facilities and stuff," Chase admitted, though he was quick to stress, "I still think that the onus is on the players to find some way to churn up runs and wickets." His remarks cut to the heart of a malaise that is as much structural as it is technical.
The problems, as Chase and others have pointed out, are multi-layered. Financial struggles continue to hamper the development of cricket infrastructure across the Caribbean. "There is a struggle in the Caribbean for finances. So whatever help we can get, if they are planning to get the help, I hope that we do get it so that we could strengthen the infrastructure for cricket," Chase said, highlighting a sense of urgency that has only grown with each disappointing result.
The West Indies’ woes were compounded even before the first ball was bowled in Ahmedabad. Key fast bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph were ruled out due to injury, and a call to former captain Jason Holder to join the squad was declined as Holder cited the need for a medical procedure. The absence of such pivotal players left the team short-handed, and the void was further widened by the retirement of Nicholas Pooran, who has chosen to focus exclusively on T20 franchise cricket. These individual decisions, while understandable in the context of modern professional sport, have contributed to a sense of instability and disruption within the squad.
Chase, however, refused to lay blame on players for seeking better opportunities. "A guy is going to try to earn his living," he said. "I can’t really speak on another man’s body." He continued, "There’s a lot more cricket being played. There’s not a lot of rest for a player, especially if he’s playing all formats of the game. And then, especially with the leagues around the world, guys are looking to earn their money. They’re not really resting, getting adequate rest that their body may need. But if they can try to stay as fit as possible and do a lot of gym work and not get too bulky but be strong enough that they can handle the load or in the case where they can pick and choose certain formats of the game and be available, I think that would be obviously better for us. But it is what it is. A guy is going to try to earn his living."
On the field, the numbers told a grim story. The West Indies managed just 162 runs in 44.1 overs in their first innings and 146 in 45.1 overs in the second, unable to bat out the first day of play—a fact Chase acknowledged with characteristic honesty. "We’ve not been able to bat 80 overs or even get at least 250 or 300 runs on the board," he reflected. "Anytime you win a toss in a Test and bat and you don’t bat out the first day, you’re always going to be in trouble. We needed to be tighter with our defence."
Chase also pointed to the quality of pitches and facilities back home as a significant factor in the team’s struggles. "The pitches in the Caribbean are not really batsman-friendly. So guys don’t really bat for long periods and score those big scores. And then, too, the outfields in the Caribbean are really slow. When you hit the ball in the gaps, you probably end up struggling to get two." He cited a recent three-match Test series against Australia where no batsman scored a century and no team crossed 300 runs in an innings, calling it "the first time I’ve ever played an international series where a batsman never scored a hundred in three matches."
The crisis in Caribbean cricket has not gone unnoticed by the region’s governing body. In August 2025, Cricket West Indies (CWI) convened an emergency meeting of the Cricket Strategy and Officiating Committee after a string of disappointing performances, including a historic defeat to Australia at Sabina Park. The gathering brought together cricketing legends such as Brian Lara and Sir Clive Lloyd, alongside current captains Shai Hope and Roston Chase, coaches, and former players. The committee identified ten critical challenges, ranging from declining regional tournament quality and underperforming franchise systems to technical, tactical, and mental skill deficiencies, infrastructure gaps, limited ICC revenue share, and fragmented player development pathways.
In response, CWI has rolled out a multi-pronged reform agenda. Immediate actions over the next six months include the recruitment of an internationally proven batting coach, the appointment of a full-time sports psychologist/performance coach for the senior men’s team, and the upgrade of the women’s team coaching role to a full-time position. A capital project for a state-of-the-art High-Performance Centre at Coolidge Cricket Ground is also in the works, promising modern nets, a gym, and rehabilitation infrastructure. Franchise teams will be required to submit Individual Development Plans and adhere to new minimum standards, with player fitness tracked via a regional leaderboard.
Looking further ahead, CWI has committed to developing a National Cricket Development Framework that unifies grassroots, school, academy, and high-performance pathways. Comprehensive franchise reform, standardized academies for ages 11–18, and the completion of the High-Performance Centre in Antigua are all on the agenda, alongside efforts to secure greater financial sustainability, including lobbying for a fairer ICC revenue distribution and forging new partnerships. A structured mentorship framework will connect current and former players with emerging talent, aiming to restore the region’s proud cricketing tradition.
"These reforms represent decisive action to strengthen our systems, raise standards, and provide the next generation of players with the tools, facilities, and mentorship they need to succeed," said CWI’s Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe. "While challenges remain, our commitment to cricket development across the region is unwavering, and all efforts will be made to prioritize the execution of these initiatives."
As the West Indies prepare for the second Test in Delhi—their first in the Indian capital in 17 years during the October window—fans and stakeholders alike will be watching for signs of resilience and progress. The weather in Delhi, marked by early winter showers and cooler temperatures, may offer only minor interruptions, but the real storm continues to brew within Caribbean cricket itself. Whether the sweeping reforms and renewed focus on development can arrest the decline remains to be seen, but for now, the West Indies find themselves at a crossroads, determined to reclaim their lost aura.
