South Africa showed steely resolve to chase down 358 in the second ODI in Raipur and level the series. But the victory has come at a cost to some key personnel. Fast bowler Burger pulled up short in his seventh over in the first innings. He hobbled off the park and Aiden Markram was called upon to complete the over.
Later during the Proteas chase, de Zorzi was forced to retire hurt for 17 during a critical part of the chase, bringing Keshav Maharaj to the crease in the 45th over. He teamed up with Corbin Bosch to get the visitors over the line.
"It didn't look too good, to be honest - Nandre not being able to finish his overs and Tony also walking off," captain Temba Bavuma told he post-match media scrum.
"If need be, we do have other guys waiting in the wings come Saturday."
With the deciding ODI set for Saturday in Visakhapatnam, it leaves the Proteas little time. The tourists are a little short in the seam bowling department, with talisman Kagiso Rabada still nursing a rib injury and young gun Gerald Coetzee not picked for the tour.
However, the metronomic Ottneil Baartman, who took 2/60 off his ten overs in the first ODI, is available. The returning Anrich Nortje is in India ahead of the T20 series and could also provide an option for coach Shukri Conrad.
Batting-wise, Ryan Rickleton is likely to come in for de Zorzi. Rickleton is searching for form and was left out of Wednesday's XI.
Aiden Markram scored a century as the Proteas recorded the second highest ODI run-chase in India to beat the hosts by four wickets, with four balls to spare, and level the three-match series at 1-1.
Hardik Pandya has returned to the India squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against the Proteas after being out for two months with a left quadricep injury.
Tristan Stubbs says he is excited to have an opportunity to play and work on one format of the game as he eyes hitting prime form for the Proteas at the T20 World Cup early next year.
India will be hoping the added experience Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma can give them a boost ahead of the three-match ODI series against the Proteas that starts in Ranchi on Sunday.
