What a spectacular Diwali gift from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) — a double dose of embarrassment for Indian cricket fans, served under the floodlights. On a night of celebration, both the Men’s and Women’s national teams crumbled in prime-time, triggering outrage across social media. Shubman Gill’s men were steamrolled in the opening ODI against Australia, while Harmanpreet Kaur’s women faltered badly at home in the ICC Women’s World Cup. Two teams. Two captains. Same day. Same result. Different continents. One collective disaster.

It’s increasingly clear — BCCI has shifted from being a governing body to a corporate brand thriving off the IPL money machine. What was once a platform of opportunity has become a breeding ground for overpaid, underperforming superstars. Players showcase unmatched energy for their IPL franchises, but wear the national jersey with alarming indifference. Pride in representing the country seems lost. And leading this list of underwhelming performances are names like Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur.

While Gill did lead India to a 2-0 Test series win over West Indies, his 10-run flop in Perth raises real questions about consistency. Meanwhile, Kohli and Rohit Sharma contributed just 0 and 8 runs — a painful reminder that past glory doesn't guarantee present results. Do we still need them in the side? Or is Indian cricket trapped in nostalgia, reluctant to move forward from faded icons who no longer deliver when it matters most?

The deeper issue lies in misplaced priorities. If national duty pays less than IPL contracts, then perhaps it’s time for these stars to step aside. This isn’t Bollywood, and cricket isn’t content creation. Yet, players like Harmanpreet flaunt brand deals while Kohli’s gym reels outshine his run tally. The Indian jersey has become another costume in a glam-filled rotation, its value diminished with every lifeless performance.

Social media didn’t hold back. #BCCIExposed, #FranchiseFirst, and #ShamelessSaturday trended across platforms, echoing the fans’ disillusionment. One meme summed it up: “IPL: Beast Mode ON. India: Sleep Mode Enabled.” Sadly, that feels accurate. This Diwali, while homes lit up in joy, Indian cricket dimmed in disgrace. Maybe it's time fans treated matches like influencer posts — swipe past and move on. Because to the players and the board, the nation feels like just another follower count.