The World Championship of Legends 2026 was the third edition of the T20 tournament for retired international cricketers, held in the UAE. The competition ran from October 3 to October 18, 2026, and comprised 20 matches in total.
West Indies Champions were crowned champions after defeating England Champions by nine wickets in the final on October 18, 2026. While the batters and fielders played their part, three bowlers stood out across the tournament for their wicket-taking ability.
1. Hardus Viljoen (South Africa Champions)
Hardus Viljoen was the standout bowler of WCL 2026, finishing as the tournament's leading wicket-taker for South Africa Champions. He claimed 13 wickets across five matches at a bowling average of 11.85, making him the most economical and prolific bowler of the competition. His best performance was a return of 5/16, which was the finest individual bowling figure recorded in the tournament.
South Africa Champions went through the league stage unbeaten but were eliminated by England Champions in the semi-final on October 16, 2026. Viljoen had already taken 11 wickets from his four league-stage matches before adding two more in the knockout round, underlining his consistency throughout.
2. Sheldon Cottrell (West Indies Champions)
Sheldon Cottrell was the leading wicket-taker for West Indies Champions and finished second overall in the tournament bowling charts. The left-arm pace bowler ended the competition with nine wickets at a bowling average of 12.88.
Cottrell had taken eight wickets heading into the final and added to that tally as West Indies Champions went on to lift the title. His pace and movement were a consistent threat for the side across the tournament, troubling batters with his left-arm angle.
3. Dhawal Kulkarni (India Champions)
Dhawal Kulkarni represented India Champions in WCL 2026 and finished third among the tournament's leading wicket-takers. The right-arm pace bowler, who also serves as the bowling coach of Mumbai, took nine wickets from four matches at an average of 15.89. He bowled 16 overs in total, conceding 143 runs, and recorded one four-wicket haul during the league stage.
India Champions were not part of the knockout stage, with Kulkarni's tally of nine wickets coming entirely from the league phase. His figures remained unchanged as the tournament's final standings confirmed his place among the top three.
