"We are getting into a new era without the two big guns Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara at some point in time in the series. It's a new challenge for the players in different slots and hopefully they will grab them and hang in there for a long time," he said.

Jayawardene has retired from all formats of the game at the conclusion of the 2015 World Cup while Sangakkara is expected to do so during the series against India coming up in August. Sangakkara is currently playing for English county Surrey and will join the Test squad in Galle.