Gujarat Titans Sign South African Star Connor Esterhuizen as Replacement for Tom Banton
Gujarat Titans have welcomed South African player Connor Esterhuizen as a new member, stepping in for England’s Tom Banton, who will miss the entire IPL 2026 season due to a finger injury. Esterhuizen joins the team at his base price of ₹75 lakh, bringing with him a promising start to his international career.
Banton was a key player for England during the recent T20 World Cup, amassing 155 runs over eight matches. However, his injury means the Titans need a reliable backup.
In a statement, IPL confirmed, “Gujarat Titans have signed Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Tom Banton, who has been ruled out of the IPL 2026 because of a finger injury.” This marks Esterhuizen’s first experience in the IPL, and he aims to make an impact.
The 24-year-old cricketer has made quite a name for himself in South Africa. He shone during a recent T20I series against New Zealand, finishing as the top run-scorer with 200 runs and a striking strike rate of 145.98. His performances earned him the Player of the Series award as South Africa secured a 3-2 victory, featuring an impressive total of 13 sixes throughout the series.
Esterhuizen has also participated in the SA20 league, representing MI Cape Town, and was with the Pretoria Capitals, who reached the finals of the tournament.
In his prior league outings, he scored 166 runs in 12 matches at a modest strike rate just above 105. With his arrival, he is expected to serve as the backup wicketkeeping option behind star player Jos Buttler for Gujarat this season.
After a sluggish start to the IPL 2026, the Titans have shown resilience, bouncing back with victories over Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants. They are looking to continue their winning streak against the struggling Kolkata Knight Riders at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, April 17.
Stay tuned for more updates on IPL 2026!
