South Africa captain Faf du Plessis sees no reason to be alarmed regarding Quinton de Kock's lean spell of form heading into the ODIs against India.

In the three-Test series, which the Proteas won 2-1, the wicketkeeper made just 71 runs from six innings, including two golden ducks.

Batting at six, South Africa will have expected more from a man with three Test hundreds to his name, especially given his dismissals often exposed the hosts' lengthy tail, with Vernon Philander coming in at seven.

But ahead of the six-match ODI series beginning in Durban on Thursday, Du Plessis believes the change in format will suit the left-hander, who is used as an opener in limited-overs contests.

"We all go through lean patches. I think the white ball is coming at a good time for Quinny, it will unshackle him," said Du Plessis.

"He's obviously disappointed, as any player would be. He will go back and work hard on his game and make sure he can be better for the Australian series [four Tests, beginning in March].

"With Quinny, he's a personality that doesn't think too much about technical stuff. He's a free spirit, x-factor player.

"So when things go wrong, as any player, you'll feel like there's pressure on you to perform.

"For Quinny it is just confidence. As soon as he gets one innings where he's hitting the ball in the middle again, he'll just jump straight back onto that boat of relaxing and just playing his game.

"I think it's very important that you don't try and change the way Quinton plays, because if you start talking from a technical point of view to Quinton – he's never played the game like that.

"It's just the case that sometimes in cricket you're in form and you’re on top and the runs come. Quinny is just at the bottom of the wave at the moment but I know he'll fight back to get on top again."