3 things India need to do right in the 3rd ODI vs South Africa ft. Yashasvi Jaiswal

India are on the back of a four-wicket defeat to South Africa in the second ODI of the three-match series in Raipur. As a result, when the Men in Blue face off against the Proteas in Vizag on Saturday, December 6, the trophy will be on the line.

India lost their previous ODI assignment in Australia and succumbed rather meekly in the preceding two-match Test series against South Africa. With pressure mounting on Gautam Gambhir and the team management, the hosts will need a good result in the series decider.

For that, India will need to be at their best from a tactical perspective.

India's squad for the South Africa ODI series: KL Rahul (c), Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Tilak Varma, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Dhruv Jurel.

South Africa's squad for the India ODI series: Temba Bavuma (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Rubin Hermann, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton, Prenelan Subrayen.

On that note, here are three things India need to do right in the third ODI against South Africa.

#3 India need to persist with the same team combination

India might be tempted to make changes following their four-wicket defeat in Raipur. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been out of touch at the top of the order, while Washington Sundar has looked out of place at Nos. 5 and 6. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna has been taken for a few runs.

However, India might already be fielding their best side. Bringing in a new player for the all-important decider won't be a good idea, with Jaiswal being the team's best option at the opening spot. Sundar adds balance, and an all-rounder of his caliber needs to be backed. Prasidh is suited to the ODI format, and there are no backup fast bowlers on the bench anyway.

India should resist the temptation to make changes for the third ODI.

#2 Yashasvi Jaiswal must give himself time to find his ideal tempo

India v England - 1st ODI - Source: Getty

Speaking of Jaiswal, the left-hander seems to be struggling to find his ideal tempo in 50-over cricket. He is either playing too many shots or getting sucked into his shell, and that will be fixed with time.

Jaiswal hasn't played much List A cricket in the last few years, and his ongoing struggles against left-arm seamers have only complicated matters. But giving himself a few overs in the powerplay would augur well for the talented youngster, who has what it takes to crack the format.

More importantly, Jaiswal needs to use his feet to counter the South African pacers. Being able to come down the track and put away a release shot along the ground would solve many of his starting woes.

#1 India shouldn't be shy to use their spinners in the powerplay if they bowl second

Australia v India - ODI Series: Game 3 - Source: Getty

Dew has ravaged India's bowling plans in the first two matches, and Vizag is known for heavy dew. If KL Rahul loses another toss on Saturday, the hosts might need to adopt some unconventional strategies.

Using the spinners in the first half of the chase will then become absolutely vital. Rahul might have to toss the new ball to Washington Sundar, which might not be the worst idea if either one or both of Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton are present at the crease.

Ravindra Jadeja doesn't bowl in the powerplay much, but India might have no choice but to get their spin overs out of the way before dew sets in.