The first T20 international was a close one, with South Africa winning it in the final over. The second T20 was not even a contest, as the India batting crumbled. The first one-day international was close, with India losing the match in the final over. The 2nd ODI? Well, let's hope the same script is not written as India attempt to engage those bouncebackability powers in Indore on Wednesday.

Three matches played in this long series between India and South Africa, and MS Dhoni's men have not managed a single win. They have come close on a couple of occasions, but when the pressure has been cranked up to that top level, South Africa have handled it much better.

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For India to win this second one-day international, they need to bowl better and show improvement in their batting.

The bowling, be that early in the innings, or, more importantly, late on, has not been good enough. Enough faith has been placed on the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav, and it really is step-up time for them now.

With the ball reversing in the final overs of the first innings against South Africa, neither Bhuvneshwar nor Umesh could trouble the batsmen enough, even if one of those batsmen was AB De Villiers.

With R Ashwin out injured, Amit Mishra needs to be the main man with the spinning ball. The leg-spinner was pretty impressive in the 1st ODI on Sunday, but one match here or there isn't enough, he needs to be the chief wicket-taker now for India for the rest of the ODI series.

Harbhajan Singh's inclusion will help, with India needing experience and a bit of calmness in the middle overs, or indeed, in the final ones. With five fielders now allowed in the final 10 overs, bowling with one of Harbhajan and Mishra might not be such a bad idea, or Axar Patel, if he is given a game.

Another change that Dhoni might consider making is giving Gurkeerat Singh Mann an opportunity. India sorely need a power hitter in their lower middle order, and Stuart Binny showed his limitations – with the ball and bat – in that one-dayer in Kanpur.

While questions are being raised left, right and centre in the India camp – chief of them being MS Dhoni's ability in the shorter format and Virat Kohli's batting position – South Africa are settled and happy; ironic considering they are the away team.

They haven't tasted defeat yet, and having shown greater ability to master pressure situations, De Villiers and co. will be a tough nut to crack for India.

Imran Tahir came back with a vengeance in the final overs, while the fast bowling is pretty strong with Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kagiso Rabada, with Kyle Abbott also waiting in the wings for an opportunity.

South Africa's batting is also better balanced, with the right mix of solidity, touch and power.

All on India then, to turn this series around.

India vs South Africa 1st ODI schedule: Date: Wednesday, 14 October.

Time: 1.30 pm IST (10 am SAST, 9 am BST, 4 am ET).

Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

TV listings: India: Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 3 with their respective HD channels and DD National.

UK and Ireland: Sky Sports 2.

USA: Willow TV.

South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa: SuperSport.

Middle East and North Africa: OSN.