Dravid pulled no punches over India's recent poor performances

Captain Rahul Dravid said: "For the last two or three series we have not been getting consistent performances from most of our key players.

"That is something we need to correct. We also have to adjust to the bouncing ball. Batsmen have to show patience."

With just four months before the World Cup, India are short of momentum.

But they hope to regain some as they play five one-day internationals, starting in Johannesburg on 19 November.

India went on the slide in one-day cricket in May, when they lost 4-1 in the West Indies.

They then failed to qualify for a triangular series final in Malaysia in September before being eliminated in the league phase of the recent Champions Trophy at home.

They have lost eight of their last 12 one-day internationals.

We need to manage him in terms of the amount of cricket he plays Dravid on veteran bowler Anil Kumble

"I think the courage and character of the team will be tested," said Dravid.

"We have not done well in South Africa in the past and we'd like to put in good performances this time.

"That will give us a lot of confidence going into the World Cup."

Dravid said the return of veteran leg-spinner Anil Kumble would help the team on the difficult tour.

He went on: "Obviously, his experience and knowledge will help us. We always had him in our plans, but we need to manage him in terms of the amount of cricket he plays."

Kumble, 36, had not been considered for limited-overs cricket since August 2005, despite being the most successful Indian bowler in both forms of the game, with 533 Test and 329 one-day wickets.

India's Test squad will be named in the first week of December - to play three Tests around Christmas and New Year.