Is Windies glory fading fast?

From Sharjah to Ahmedabad, the decline of West Indies cricket has become painfully stark.

Within weeks of being humbled by Nepal -- an associate nation playing its first-ever bilateral T20 series against a full member -- the once-feared Caribbean side suffered another humiliation, crushed by India inside three days in the first Test on Saturday.

The defeats, separated by format but united in despair, underline how far the West Indies have fallen from their days of dominance.

Captain Roston Chase's words after the innings-and-140-run defeat in Ahmedabad carried the tone of a man burdened by more than just on-field failure. "There is obviously a struggle in the Caribbean for finances," he admitted. "Whatever help we can get… I hope that we do get it so that we can strengthen the infrastructure for cricket."

It was a candid admission from a captain leading a side that seems trapped in a cycle of underinvestment, poor preparation, and fading belief. "The systems in the Caribbean are a bit poor in terms of training facilities," Chase said, though he was quick to add that it was no excuse for repeated poor performances.

Still, the numbers told a grim story: bowled out for 162 and 146 on a flat pitch where India piled up 448-5 declared with three centuries.

If the Ahmedabad defeat was bruising, the Sharjah collapse was shattering. West Indies' T20 side was bowled out for just 83 as Nepal, ranked 18th in the world, sealed a historic 90-run win to clinch the series -- the biggest victory margin ever recorded by an associate nation against a full member.

It was another unwanted entry in the growing catalogue of Caribbean cricket's lows.

Earlier this year, their Test side was swept 3-0 at home by Australia, collapsing for just 27 in the third match -- the second-lowest score in Test history. They also failed to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup and are currently outside the direct qualifying zone for the 2027 edition.

Cricket West Indies president Dr. Kishore Shallow has since called for an emergency review, seeking input from legends like Sir Viv Richards, Sir Clive Lloyd, and Brian Lara. But unless the board finds a way to rebuild its crumbling systems -- from grassroots to governance -- the West Indies risk becoming a relic of nostalgia — a reminder of what was, rather than a promise of what could be.