West Indies captain Roston Chase did not mince words after his team’s humiliating innings and 140-run loss to India in the first Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The one-sided contest ended inside three days and marked their fourth straight Test defeat and fifth loss in six matches this year, exposing deeper problems within Caribbean cricket beyond just on-field performance.
Chase admitted that the issue was much bigger than skill levels. “I think the systems in the Caribbean are a bit poor in terms of training facilities and stuff,” he explained, before adding that he wasn’t making excuses. “I still think that the onus is on the players to find some way to churn up runs and wickets.”
Financial Struggles and Structural Gaps
The West Indies skipper pointed out that the root of the problem lies in limited funding and weak infrastructure. “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.
Their campaign was derailed even before the series started. Strike bowlers Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph were sidelined by injuries, while a last-minute request to veteran Jason Holder was turned down due to his medical commitments. Adding to the setback, star batter Nicholas Pooran has shifted focus entirely to franchise T20 cricket.
Player Choices and Packed Schedules
Chase was pragmatic when asked about players prioritising leagues over Tests. “A guy is going to try to earn his living,” he said. “One thing I can say is that 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.”
He urged players to manage their workload smartly to remain available for the national side. “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.”
Domestic Conditions Hindering Batting Growth
The West Indies skipper also highlighted how local conditions contribute to their batting failures. “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 the lack of centuries in a recent series to underline the problem. “I think that was the first time I’ve ever played an international series where a batsman never scored a hundred in three matches.”
Collapse in Ahmedabad and Way Forward
Chase stood by his decision to bat first in Ahmedabad despite the result. “The pitch had no devils in it,” he said. However, his side’s inability to post competitive totals — 162 and 146 in under 50 overs each — left them with no chance. “We’ve not been able to bat 80 overs or even get at least 250 or 300 runs on the board,” Chase admitted. “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.”
The skipper’s comments underscore how deeply West Indies cricket is struggling — from inadequate infrastructure and financial limitations to player priorities and poor domestic conditions. Without significant reform, a return to their past glory in Test cricket appears increasingly difficult.
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