The process of exclusion of foreign players from IPL 2026 continues. The latest blow has been suffered by Gujarat Titans, whose wicketkeeper batsman Tom Banton has been ruled out of the IPL 2026 tournament due to a finger injury. Gujarat team has announced South Africa’s Connor Esterhuizen as his replacement. Connor made his international debut for South Africa this year.

Who is Connor Esterhuizen?

Connor Esterhuizen has been included in their team by Gujarat Titans for Rs 75 lakh. He has played for Pretoria Capitals and MI Cape Town in the SA20 League. He has represented Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in ILT20. In the last 2-3 years, he has earned a good name in franchise cricket.

This 24-year-old top order batsman made his T20 International debut against New Zealand in March this year. Playing 5 matches in the entire series against New Zealand, he scored 200 runs at a good T20 average of 50.

His bat flourished in the last 2 T20 matches against New Zealand. In the fourth T20, he scored his first international half-century by scoring 57 runs in 36 balls. In the very next match, he played a brilliant inning of 75 runs in 33 balls. Currently his strike rate in T20 International is around 146. He was also chosen Player of the Series for his strong performance. On his own strength, South Africa won the T20 series 3-2 after trailing by 1-2.

Connor Esterhuizen’s career

Connor Esterhuizen’s overall T20 figures are not very good, but he has had a great start to his international career. In his T20 career of 44 matches, he has scored 926 runs and the average is 29. Connor, who has scored 5 half-centuries in T20 so far, has a strike rate of 129.87.

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