"You cannot be there forever, it will happen to everyone," Sourav Ganguly on the Test team for the South Africa tour

Pujara and Rahane have not missed a single trip to South Africa with the Indian side since making their respective Test debuts. Pujara has been a part of the touring Indian side to South Africa four times, starting from 2010. Rahane has played in three tours - 2013-14, 2018-19 and 2021-22.

India have always believed in the experience of both the right-handers in South Africa. India won't have either Pujara or Rahane in their XI this time. India have played 100 Tests since Rahane's debut in March 2013 and in 98 of those, there was either Rahane or Pujara in India's XI. The only two matches that the two players were not a part of the XI was against Sri Lanka at home in 2022 when the selectors dropped the duo together from the squad for the first time. Then Pujara was the first one to make a comeback followed by Rahane in the WTC final in 2023 against Australia.

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Former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly was asked about the selectors' decision not to include Rahane and Pujara in the Test squad for the South Africa tour. The former India captain said, "At some point of time you have to play new talents. There is enormous talent in India and the team has to progress. Pujara and Rahane had enormous success for India, sport doesn't remain with you forever.".

"You cannot be there forever, it will happen to everyone. I must thank them for what they have done for Indian cricket and selectors want fresh faces, so that's the way it is."