Langeveldt, who is mixed race, had been controversially included in the South African squad instead of fellow fast bowler Andre Nel to satisfy a racial target of six players of colour amongst the 14 players.

The 33-year-old Langeveldt withdrew on Tuesday from the three-Test series, which begins in Chennai on March 26.

"South Africa stands to lose two of its premier fast bowlers, Charl Lange-veldt and Andre Nel, because of political interference in selection," SACA chief executive officer Tony Irish said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Charl Langeveldt's request to be removed from the squad to tour India is the desperate unhappiness of a player who knows that he has been selected for this tour for quota reasons."

Irish called for Cricket South Africa president Norman Arendse to relinquish his right of veto over team selection.

Bitter infighting broke out within South African cricket in February when Arendse refused to approve the squad initially chosen to tour Bangl-adesh because it included only four black players. His veto was eventually sidestepped when CSA chief executive Gerald Majola released the team, leading to a stand-off between the country's two leading cricket administrators.

Langeveldt confirmed he did not feel he deserved his place in the Test squad on merit. "As players, we all have a good idea of when we are clearly in the running for selection and when we aren't," said Langeveldt.

"You just have to look at Andre's Test record compared to mine and the fact that he has been part of all the Test plans while I haven't played a Test for over two years. I have always fought for a place in the team, but I don't want to be put there because of my colour. I'm quite upset by this now and I'm going to need a bit of time to consider my future."

Nel's future was also uncertain. "I'm as upset for Langes as I am for myself," said Nel. "We are good team-mates and I have a lot of respect for him. We are both passionate about playing for South Africa and neither of us deserve to feel like this.”

Zondeki to join squad
Meanwhile, South Africa on Wednesday named fast bowler Monde Zondeki to replace Langeveldt in the national squad for the Test series against India, adds PTI.

Twenty-five-year-old Zondeki is only the second black African to have been selected for the national team after Makhaya Ntini.