Port Elizabeth: Amid scathing criticism of its performance and strategies back home, India's stand-in skipper Virender Sehwag yesterday appealed to fans to repose their faith in the team and promised a fight back.

He also gave a vote of confidence to coach Greg Chappell, who is also under attack, especially from Parliamentarians, after the team's spineless display in the two matches so far.

"My message to cricket fans is that they should trust us. We are good players and we would fight back," Sehwag said ahead of the fourth cricket one-dayer against South Africa here tomorrow.

Indians find themselves jammed in from all sides on the present tour, be it their own wretched performance or injuries to key players or the anger swelling up back home.

Sehwag said the criticism was expected and as professional sportspersons they would take it in their stride.

"In a way, the criticism can be expected and it's not new. When you do well you are praised and when you fail, you are criticised.

"But yes players do get upset when they are told by families back home about the reaction. However, we need to take it in stride as we are professional sportsmen and these things do happen." Sehwag looked at Rahul Dravid's absence, due to a finger injury, as a moment of opportunity for other players.

"In a way it is an opportunity because we could have games in future when there would be no Tendulkar or Dravid. The rest of the boys have to be prepared and take over the responsibility," he said.