Riyan Parag called up, Nat Sciver ton and WI squad– January 26 Cricket highlights

Riyan Parag and Nat Sciver-Brunt [Source: @Teamindiacrick, @MIPaltanFamily/x]

Riyan Parag has been reportedly called up by the BCCI to train at the CoE in a bid to prepare himself for replacing Washington Sundar. Mumbai Indians legend Nat Sciver-Brunt hammered down a historic WPL century against RCB. In other news, Cricket West Indies (CWI) has named a strong West Indies for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Monday, January 26.

Riyan Parag called up at CoE as Sundar’s T20 World Cup 2026 place still in doubt

As per a Times of India report, the BCCI is considering Riyan Parag as a replacement option for Indian all-rounder Washington Sundar at the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. It is worth noting that Sundar is yet to fully recover from his injury. The report further stated that the BCCI has instructed the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru to prepare Riyan Parag, who is inching closer to attaining full recovery from a shoulder injury.

South Africa recall Pretorius, Bosch for WI T20I; rest Stubbs, Jansen and QDK

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has recalled Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Eathan Bosch back into the national squad for the first T20I of the three-match series against West Indies at home. The two cricketers have been included in the South Africa squad as a replacement of Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen.

It is worth noting that the CSA has rested Quinton, Stubbs and Jansen for the series-opener against West Indies, considering the trio recently took part in the final of the SA20 2026 season for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Shai Hope returns as West Indies name T20 World Cup 2026 squad

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced a strong 15-player West Indies squad for the upcoming 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Shai Hope has been re-appointed as West Indies captain after he was forced to miss the T20I series against Afghanistan earlier this month owing to his SA20 2026 commitment in South Africa.

Apart from Hope, fellow star players like Roston Chase, Akeal Hosein and Sherfane Rutherford are also making their returns to the West Indies team for the showpiece event.

Bihar win Ranji Trophy Plate 2025-26 by crushing Manipur

Bihar walloped Manipur by 568 runs in the final of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy Plate Group at the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium in Patna. Captain Sakibul Gani won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for scoring a swift 108 from 155 balls in the first innings of the match for the Bihar team.

The outcome helped Bihar regain their Elite Group status, after getting relegated to the Plate Group of the ongoing 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. Earlier in the tournament, Bihar finished second on the Plate Group points table by securing two wins and three draws from five matches.

MI legend Nat Sciver-Brunt hammers first WPL century

Mumbai Indians Women’s legend Nat Sciver-Brunt hammered down 100* runs from just 57 balls with 16 boundaries and a six against RCB Women in match number 16 of the WPL 2026 season. The innings also marked the first-ever century recorded in the history of WPL, surpassing Georgia Voll’s unbeaten 99* against RCB last year.

Nat Sciver-Brunt’s century, coupled with Hayley Matthews’ half-century helped Mumbai Indians mount 199-4 in 20 overs after getting invited to bat first at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.