India will not take it 'lying down' from Aussies

New Delhi: Virender Sehwag is back in the form with the bat after playing a blistering knock of 113 runs off just 78 balls against the Australian Capital Territorial Invitational XI in Canberra on Saturday.

After getting back his confidence Sehwag batted for his teammate Harbhajan Singh who has been banned for three Test matches following the charge that he racially abused Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds during the Sydney Test.

"I know what he is going through. He has not said anything for which one needs to ban him. When two players have an argument they are bound to say something annoying but Harbhajan knows what to say and what not. I am sure he did not say anything racial," Sehwag told Star Cricket after the practice match in Canberra.

Sehwag, who believes offence is the best defence, said the current Indian players are not going to turn the other cheek when someone slaps them.

"It is good that we have some youngsters who can give back what is hurled on them. They have the attitude and the confidence. I mean why should we take it lying down? We should pay them back and that's how it should be," Sehwag retorted.

"The world now knows that Indians would not keep mum, if somebody is going to attack them," he said.

Sehwag said Harbhajan had the backing of the entire team.

"In situation like this, we always stick together. All are backing him and the entire team is behind him as a unit. Everyone, including the board, is backing Harbhajan."

Sehwag said such an episode could have eroded the confidence of any other player but Harbhajan was a tough cricketer.

"Naturally you confidence level goes down as the whole world thinks what you have said, what you have done. You find yourself in the limelight but for all wrong reasons."

"But Harbhajan looks happy that the team is behind him. He is mentally very strong and I am sure he will come out of this," Sehwag said. After all the hue and cry that surrounded the Sydney Test, Sehwag felt it might have an influence over the third Test in Perth as well.

"It might happen that nobody says a word to anybody in the next Test. We will play hard cricket but would like to see the cricket is played in its true spirit," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)