Here are three scroll-stopping, suspense-driven headline options — followed by a hard-hitting, listicle-style “reality check” article on gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach:

They told us a new era was beginning: under gautam Gambhir, india would build on its red-ball strength, regain dominance, and restore pride. But instead, what we’re witnessing is not transition — it’s meltdown. For the first time in decades, the red ball team is bleeding history-making losses, the white-ball side is staggering, and the fans are left grappling with a sense of betrayal. This is not just a bad patch — it’s a systematic unraveling under a head coach whose record is now impossible to ignore.

Bilateral ODI series lost after 27 years – India’s white-ball reputation took a serious hit when, under Gambhir, the side lost a bilateral ODI series versus sri lanka for the first time in 27 years.

30 wickets lost in a 3-match ODI series – a first – For the first time, india lost 30 wickets across a 3-match ODI series, underlining a collapse in depth and resilience.

Winless calendar year in ODIs after 45 years – After 45 years, india remained winless in a calendar year in ODIs under this regime, an unthinkable fall for a powerhouse.

Home Test defeat vs NZ after 36 years – india lost a Test at home to new zealand for the first time in 36 years while Gambhir was in charge.

Test defeat at Chinnaswamy after 19 years – The nightmare extended with a Test loss at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium — a fortress — after 19 long years.

First time scoring under 50 at home in Tests – india, under Gambhir, got dismissed for less than 50 runs at home — something previously unheard of.

First-ever Test-series loss vs NZ at home – A historic first: india lost a full Test series at home to new zealand, under this coach’s watch.

Home Test-series lost after 12 years – A home Test series loss after 12 years — the kind of sign that alarms a dynasty.

Back-to-back home Tests lost after 12 years – Not only one, but consecutive defeats at home in Tests — again a first in more than a decade.

Test loss at Wankhede after 12 years – Even at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, india surrendered a Test after 12 years of safety.

Failed to chase under 200 target at home for first time – (Target 147 at Wankhede) – Unbelievably, india failed to chase only 147 at home — a threshold so basic, yet collapsed under pressure.

Whitewashed 3-0 in a home Test series for the first time – They faced a 3-0 blanking at home, the worst ever in India’s Test history.

Lost Test match at melbourne after 13 years – Their away plight mirrored the home trauma: a Test defeat in melbourne after 13 years of wanting.

Back-to-back Test-series losses after 10 years – india, under Gambhir, suffered consecutive series losses for the first time in a decade.

Lost the Border–Gavaskar Trophy after 10 years – The trophy slipped away after a decade of staying strong.

Lost 3 matches vs australia in a Test series after 12 years – A clean collapse against australia, after 12 years of being able to compete.

Failed to qualify for the wtc final for the first time – The top-level ambition (ICC World Test championship final) gone.

First team ever to lose a Test after scoring 5 centuries (Leeds) – Incredibly, india became the first side ever to lose a Test despite scoring five tons in the match.

Only second time in 92 years of Test history india failed to defend 350+ runs (Leeds) – A rare historic collapse in a match india should have dominated.

Only the second time failed to chase <200 target against england (Target 190, Lords) – The house of english horrors continued, even with modest targets.

Conceded 600+ runs (Manchester) after 11 years – The bowling unit leaked runs to a degree unseen in more than a decade.

Lost an ODI in adelaide after 17 years – Across formats, the losses piled up.

Failed to chase 124 at home – lowest target ever failed by india at home* – This has become a symbol of meltdown.

Lost versus SA at home after 15 years* – No longer untouchable even at home versus all nations.

🧐 The Verdict

This is beyond mere “giving a bad series” — this is a systemic breakdown under gautam Gambhir. With a Test win percentage of about 38.89% (7 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws in 18 matches), cited to some sources.

 
The damage isn’t just in the record: it’s in the message being sent to players, fans, and future setup. The aura of invincibility is gone. The home fortresses are no longer safe. The pipelines of dominance are being broken.

Selections, pitch preparations, and rotation policy — all are under question. The clock is ticking. If the board doesn’t act, the erosion of trust will continue.

✅ india Herald Editor's Call

It’s time. The only way indian cricket can begin to heal is change at the top. Retaining a coach under whom so many “first-time” failures have occurred signals acceptance of failure. For the sake of the next generation, for the fans who invested their pride, and for a team that once stood tall —

Gambhir must be shown the door.