Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik says the explosive top order of Abhishek Sharma, Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Sanju Samson will not keep their places against the West Indies.

“You will definitely not see that,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz. He pointed to the need for more fast bowlers in home conditions.

India used the trio together during the Asian Games in Japan. The spin-friendly pitches there allowed India to play just one frontline seamer, Jasprit Bumrah.

At home, Karthik said, India will need two or three pacers. That means room for one less batter at the top.

Bumrah has been rested for the five-match T20I series, which begins October 6 in Lucknow. Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Mayank Yadav form the pace core.

Karthik added that India’s focus is on Test cricket right now. “T20 is not something that they are going to put their heart and soul into,” he said, with the next World Cup far away. India have won nine matches in a row.