Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) captain KL Rahul has hit back at claims that players are prioritizing Indian Premier League (IPL) over playing for their country. This comes after South African players chose to play in the IPL 2022 edition over the home two-Test series against Bangladesh.

Rahul praised the IPL for providing young players with a platform to test themselves against the best players in the world in front of large crowds early in their careers but also argued that no player would choose to play for his country over a franchise T20 competition.

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"I would not take away what IPL has done for Indian cricket and where we are as an Indian team in white-ball cricket today. We must give IPL credit for the platform it has given young players, the way young players have grown and matured and testing their skills at this level, and having the exposure in front of crowds. 

I don't think any player will choose to play any league over their country. The country always comes first for us. Outside world might think otherwise but that doesn't change the way we think," said Rahul to India Today.

The Indian opening batter also asserted that every player loves the game of cricket, and they give their everything when they play the game, whether it's international or franchise cricket.

"Cricket is the winner for us, cricket is what we love playing. Whatever opportunity we get whether it is playing for our country or franchise cricket, we will always give everything. We do not think beyond that one game, that's all we focus and we do not think too far ahead and plan our lives," asserted Rahul.