Connor Esterhuizen is one of South Africa’s emerging wicketkeeper-batters, a 21-year-old who has quickly made an impression with his aggressive strokeplay. He broke into the international setup earlier this year, featuring in five T20Is against New Zealand, and showed immediate promise at the top level. Across those appearances, Esterhuizen accumulated 200 runs, including two half-centuries. His standout knock, a blistering 75 off 33 balls featuring six sixes, highlighted his ability to dominate bowling attacks, while a composed 57 off 36 balls underlined his range and adaptability. Beyond T20 cricket, he has also shown his pedigree in the longer format, registering a double century in first-class cricket, pointing to a well-rounded batting game. His exposure across various T20 leagues has further accelerated his development, giving him experience in different conditions and match situations. Esterhuizen now steps into the TATA IPL for the first time, joining Gujarat Titans as a replacement for Tom Banton. With his fearless approach and ability to take on bowlers from the outset, he adds an exciting, high-upside option to their batting unit.