GT bring in Esterhuizen as Banton ruled out
Gujarat Titans have signed Connor Esterhuizen as a replacement for Tom Banton, who has been ruled out of IPL 2026 with a finger injury. Banton had not featured this season, but his absence still leaves a gap in the squad.
Esterhuizen, a wicketkeeper-batter, comes in at a base price of ₹75 lakh. The 24-year-old recently made his international debut for South Africa against New Zealand and made an immediate impact, earning two Player of the Match awards and the Player of the Series as South Africa won 3-2 after trailing 2-1.
This will be his first stint in the IPL. Gujarat have opted for a like-for-like replacement, adding depth both with the bat and behind the stumps.
Opportunity for Esterhuizen, timing suits GT
For Esterhuizen, the move offers a first look at the IPL environment and a chance to break into a settled side. Whether he gets immediate game time remains to be seen, but his recent form suggests he is ready if called upon.
For Gujarat Titans, the timing fits. They head into their todays game against Kolkata Knight Riders in Ahmedabad on the back of two wins and are looking to build momentum. Currently sixth on the table, they are still shaping their campaign after a slow start.
The top order has begun to settle, and the bowling has held up. The middle order remains an area to watch, and Esterhuizen’s inclusion gives them another option.