IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans Sign Connor Esterhuizen to Replace Tom Banton
Synopsis
In a strategic move, Gujarat Titans have enlisted South African wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen to fill the void left by Tom Banton's injury. This marks Esterhuizen's entry into the IPL, following a successful international T20 debut with South Africa.
Key Takeaways
Connor Esterhuizen replaces injured Tom Banton for Gujarat Titans.
Esterhuizen's IPL debut comes at a base price of INR 75 lakh .
He recently excelled in a T20I series against New Zealand.
Esterhuizen's inclusion strengthens GT's overseas batting options.
GT, led by Shubman Gill , will face KKR soon.
New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) The Gujarat Titans (GT) have officially welcomed South African wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen to their roster as a substitute for England's Tom Banton, who is sidelined from the ongoing 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a finger injury.
In a media release from the IPL on Friday, it was announced that Esterhuizen will join the team at his base price of INR 75 lakh, marking his debut in the ten-team league. Esterhuizen recently debuted internationally for South Africa against New Zealand in a five-match T20I series last month.
He made a remarkable entry by securing two Player of the Match awards and was honored as the Player of the Series, helping South Africa win the series 3-2 after being down 2-1. Over the course of the series, Esterhuizen accumulated 200 runs in five matches with an average of 50 and a strike rate of 145.98.
His performances have propelled him to 39th in the Men’s T20I rankings, making him the fourth-best South African in this category after just five matches. Furthermore, he received a nomination for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award alongside India's wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson and fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
Incorporating Esterhuizen is expected to enhance GT’s overseas batting lineup while providing a solid wicketkeeping option behind Jos Buttler. In this year’s SA20, where the Pretoria Capitals finished as runners-up, Esterhuizen played all 12 matches but managed only 166 runs at an average of 15.09 and a strike rate of 105.73.
However, he gained significant experience playing under the leadership of Proteas left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and head coach, former India captain Sourav Ganguly, after being recruited as a rookie by MI Cape Town for the second season of the tournament.
The IPL 2022 champions, led by India's Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill, are set to face off against three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad this Friday evening.
Point of View
The Gujarat Titans' decision to recruit Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Tom Banton reflects their commitment to maintaining a competitive edge. Esterhuizen's recent performance on the international stage suggests he could be a valuable asset to the team. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to the pressures of IPL.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tom Banton leave the IPL 2026?
Tom Banton has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to a finger injury.
Who is Connor Esterhuizen?
Connor Esterhuizen is a South African wicketkeeper-batter who recently made his international T20 debut.
What was Esterhuizen's performance in the T20I series against New Zealand?
In the T20I series against New Zealand, Esterhuizen scored 200 runs in five matches, earning two Player of the Match awards and the Player of the Series title.
How much did Gujarat Titans sign Esterhuizen for?
Gujarat Titans signed Connor Esterhuizen for his base price of INR 75 lakh.
When will the Gujarat Titans play their next match?
The Gujarat Titans will face Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday evening.
