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GT Sign Connor Esterhuizen as IPL 2026 Replacement for Injured Tom Banton

Gujarat Titans have recruited South African wicketkeeper-batter Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for the injured English player Tom Banton for the remainder of IPL 2026. Esterhuizen, who recently debuted internationally and was Player of the Series against New Zealand, joins at his base price of Rs 75 Lakh. Banton, bought for Rs 2 crore, has been ruled out due to a finger injury without playing a match this season. The Titans, led by Shubman Gill, will look to continue their improved form in their upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders.

Key Points: IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans Sign Connor Esterhuizen, Tom Banton Ruled Out

  • Esterhuizen replaces injured Banton
  • South African's first IPL stint
  • Banton ruled out with finger injury
  • GT faces KKR next at Narendra Modi Stadium
2 min read

IPL 2026: GT sign Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Tom Banton

Gujarat Titans sign South Africa's Connor Esterhuizen to replace injured Tom Banton for IPL 2026. Details on the squad and upcoming match.

"He made an impressive start, winning two Player of the Match awards and was also named Player of the Series. - Report on Esterhuizen"

Ahmedabad, April 17

Gujarat Titans have signed Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Tom Banton, who has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League 2026 owing to a finger injury.

Esterhuizen, a wicketkeeper-batter, recently made his international debut for South Africa against New Zealand in a five-match T20I series last month. He made an impressive start, winning two Player of the Match awards and was also named Player of the Series, helping his team clinch the series 3-2 after being 2-1 down.

This will be the 24-year-old's first stint in the IPL. He will join GT at his base price of Rs 75 Lakh.

The 27-year-old Banton was bought for Rs 2 crore in the auction but was not part of any match in this IPL season.

Banton has played two IPL matches for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the 2020 edition, which was played from September 19 to November 10 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Banton played a crucial role for England in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, making 155 runs, including a crucial unbeaten knock of 63 runs off 41 balls against Scotland, where he helped his side secure a five-wicket win. He was named Player of the Match for that performance.

GT, who have won two of their past matches after starting the tournament with two losses, will be aiming to make it three wins in five games against a winless KKR at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

The Shubman Gill-led side currently stands in sixth place in the points table.

Gujarat Titans Squad: Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler(w), Washington Sundar, Glenn Phillips, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Ashok Sharma, Prasidh Krishna, Shahrukh Khan, Manav Suthar, Jason Holder, Kulwant Khejroliya, Anuj Rawat, Nishant Sindhu, Gurnoor Brar, Arshad Khan, Kumar Kushagra, Connor Esterhuizen, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Luke Wood, Jayant Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
A wicketkeeper-batter for 75 lakhs? That's a steal if he performs! GT's management is smart with these replacement picks. Fingers crossed he gels well with Gill and Buttler. The middle order needs some stability.
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Aman W
Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed. We paid 2 crore for Banton and he didn't even play a match. Now we get an untested IPL player. Hope the scouts know what they're doing. The points table position is already shaky.
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Priyanka N
Exciting times! A new young talent from SA. His Player of the Series performance shows he can handle pressure. The IPL is the perfect stage for him. Welcome to India, Connor! 🇮🇳 Hope the Ahmedabad crowd supports him.
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David E
As a cricket fan following both SA and IPL, this is a great move. Esterhuizen is a dynamic player. GT's squad looks very balanced on paper now. The Friday match against KKR will be a good test.
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Kavya N
Injuries are part of the game, but it's tough on Banton. Wishing him a speedy recovery. On the bright side, new players get chances. That's the beauty of IPL! Let's see what this new guy brings to the table. 🏏

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