Being an ardent cricket fan, I can’t help but see an uncanny similarity between the trajectory of the West Indies cricket team and the Indian National Congress.
Both were once dominant forces—West Indies in cricket and Congress in Indian politics. But today, both struggles to remain relevant, largely because they failed to adapt to changing times. Their fall from grace has been slow yet undeniable, marked by leadership crises, stagnation and an inability to retain their best talent.
Their decline offers valuable lessons and if they wish to reclaim their lost glory, they must first acknowledge their mistakes and take bold corrective measures.
From the early 1970s to the mid-1990s, they dominated cricket like no other team had before. Their fast bowlers were ruthless, their batsmen were explosive and their aura of invincibility was unmatched.
When teams faced the West Indies, they knew they were in for a battle they were unlikely to win. Captains lost sleep thinking about how to deal with the raw pace of Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Garner.
Batsmen prayed to survive the hostility of Andy Roberts and Curtly Ambrose. Opposing bowlers, on the other hand, knew that once Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge or Clive Lloyd got going, there was no stopping them. Victory was not just a possibility for the West Indies — it was an expectation.
But fast forward to today and the story is entirely different. The once-mighty West Indies could not even qualify for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. They struggle in bilateral series, lack stability in their leadership, and often seem unsure of their direction.
The players are talented, but the team lacks the structure and discipline that once made them great. While other nations invested in development programs, strong domestic competitions and professional management, the West Indies seemed to lose their way.
West Indies cricket is caught in a tough cycle. Boardroom conflicts, lack of financial muscle and the lure of more lucrative opportunities elsewhere have made it hard to retain top talent. Young cricketers see franchise T20 leagues and even basketball in the US as better career options because they provide financial security—something the West Indies board simply cannot match.
A similar decline has been witnessed in Indian politics, particularly with the Indian National Congress. Much like the West Indies cricket team, the Congress was once an unstoppable force. In the 1970s and 80s, it was the dominant party in Indian politics, controlling most states and shaping national policies. Leaders like Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi held unquestioned authority and the party machinery functioned with precision.
The Congress symbolized power, stability and continuity, much like the West Indies did in cricket. It was a party that did not just win elections; it dictated the direction of the country.
Today, however, the Congress is a shadow of its former self. It struggles to hold on to its political base; it has lost control of most states and has been unable to counter the rise of new political forces.
Much like the West Indies, the Congress failed to adapt to changing times. While other political parties modernized their strategies, built strong regional networks and engaged directly with voters through digital platforms, the Congress seemed stuck in an era where its historical legacy was supposed to be enough. But history does not win elections, just as past glory does not win cricket matches.
Both the West Indies team and the Congress party suffer from similar problems. The first and most glaring issue is the failure to adapt. West Indies cricket did not evolve as the game changed. While teams like India, Australia, and England built world-class domestic structures and player development programs, the West Indies lagged behind.
Similarly, the Congress failed to reinvent itself when Indian politics shifted towards regionalism, digital campaigning and a new brand of direct voter engagement. The party relied too long on its past reputation, assuming that voters would return to it simply because of nostalgia. That assumption has cost them dearly.
Another critical issue is leadership. During their dominant years, the West Indies had captains like Clive Lloyd and Sir Vivian Richards, who commanded respect and inspired their players to rise to great heights.
They led with vision and instilled a fierce sense of pride in the team. Today, leadership in West Indies cricket is unstable, often changing hands with little continuity. The Congress, too, suffers from a leadership crisis. It has struggled to find a leader who can unify the party, energize its workers and present a compelling vision for the future. Without strong leadership, no team or political party can function effectively.
Perhaps the most significant factor in their decline is the failure to build a strong pipeline for the future. Australia, India and England have ensured that their domestic cricket systems produce a steady stream of talented cricketers ready for the international stage. West Indies, however, has not invested enough in its grassroots structures. Many of its young players see franchise cricket as a more attractive option than representing their country. In politics, the Congress has also failed to groom and empower young leaders who can connect with new generations of voters. The absence of a strong pipeline has weakened both institutions, making their revival even more difficult.
Congress had many remarkable leaders who left the party as their thoughts did not align with its vision. Even today, the party has some very good leaders who have the ability to turn things around. But it depends on whether the leadership has the will to give them responsibilities. The reluctance to bring in fresh perspectives and give talented individuals greater autonomy has only aggravated the crisis. The party has often been hesitant to move away from its traditional power centres, alienating promising leaders who could have played a crucial role in reviving its fortunes.
The West Indies cricket team faces a similar dilemma. While talented players continue to emerge, the lack of a solid system to nurture them has led to an exodus of talent. Without the resources to invest in grassroots development, the game struggles to attract and nurture young talent. The passion for cricket still exists in the Caribbean, but without a strong system to support it, the glory days remain a distant memory.
Despite these challenges, the decline of the West Indies and the Congress is not irreversible. Both have a rich history, deep-rooted passion, and the potential to rise again. But for that to happen, they must first acknowledge their failures and ask themselves the tough questions. Where did they go wrong? What needs to change? Who are the right people to lead them into the future? These are not easy questions, but they are necessary ones. Avoiding them will only ensure further decline.
The West Indies can reclaim their place in world cricket if they focus on nurturing young talent, strengthening domestic competitions and fostering a team culture that prioritizes national success over individual gains. More importantly, the cricket board needs to work towards financial stability so that young cricketers see long-term value in representing the West Indies rather than chasing short-term monetary gains elsewhere.
Similarly, the Congress must reinvent itself to remain relevant in Indian politics. It needs to move beyond its old ways and embrace a new style of leadership that resonates with the aspirations of modern India. It must decentralize power, empower its state units, and build a vision that goes beyond nostalgia. Just as cricket teams cannot rely on past glories to win matches, political parties cannot depend on history to win elections.
There is still time for both the West Indies and the Congress to change their fortunes. But time is running out. They must act now, with honesty and urgency. Because in cricket and politics, the game does not wait for those who fail to evolve. If they do not rise to the occasion, they risk fading further into irrelevance, becoming mere footnotes in history rather than forces to be reckoned with once again.
(Mahesh Kutty is based in Mumbai and is Author of Cricket Kathas)
(Disclaimer: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed above are the author’s own. The Free Press Journal neither endorses nor is responsible for them.)
