Almost a month after India ended their T20 World Cup drought, a new-look side will take on Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Saturday to herald the start of a different era.

Following the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja from the game’s shortest format and the end of Rahul Dravid’s tenure, Team India will have a new captain in Suryakumar Yadav with Gautam Gambhir as head coach. Shubman Gill will be the new limited overs vice-captain.

But Surya doesn’t believe too many change in personnel at the top will bring about a change in strategy and planning. “The same train will continue,” Suryakumar said at his first news conference as captain. “Only the engine has changed. The bogies (carriages) are the same.”

Surya thinks his bonding with Gambhir since their KKR days have remained intact which will help them in developing a good relationship.

“Our bond has always been special. It’s been 10 years now since 2014. In 2018, we both went to different franchises but we kept in touch, talking regularly about the game.

“When we played for different teams, we would discuss the game, of how we could have done better. The learning has been going on even when we were not together. This bond is special. It’s been 2-3 days and we have been talking.

“We haven’t spoken much but he understands me from my body language now. I understand from his body language what he wants to tell me. Half the times he understands even when I don’t say anything. This bond is special between a coach and a captain. I’m very excited for the journey ahead, let’s see what happens,” the T20 captain said.

Surya’s promotion has also meant that Hardik Pandya, who was widely tipped to be the captain after Rohit, missing out on the hot seat. Despite the twist, Surya was quick to stress on the premier all-rounder’s value to the side.

“Hardik’s role has always remained the same, and even now it’ll be the same. He is an important player for the team. Hopefully he’ll continue to perform for the team the way he performed during the World Cup. The environment in the dressing room has been great,” Surya said.

“The brand of cricket that we played in the last T20 World Cup, we want to continue playing that way. Three players have retired. It will be difficult to fill their shoes. But they have practised so much and played so much, they have done well in franchise cricket as well as for India.”

This series will also provide an opportunity to the youngsters like Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed. How they fare could decide their fate in the lead-up to the World Cup in 2026.

Sri Lanka will be without fast bowler Nuwan Thushara, ruled out with an injury. Dilshan Madhushanka is the replacement.