The league stage of The Hundred Men’s 2026 has produced plenty of high-quality bowling performances, with several established international bowlers making their presence felt in the 100-ball competition. After all eight teams completed their league fixtures, Richard Gleeson and Gus Atkinson finished joint-top with 12 wickets each, while Adil Rashid claimed the third spot with 11 wickets.

The numbers highlight the different ways the three bowlers have influenced matches. Gleeson has relied on pace and variations for MI London, Atkinson has spearheaded Manchester Super Giants’ attack, while Rashid has once again demonstrated why he remains one of the most effective spin bowlers in English white-ball cricket.

Here are the top 3 wicket-takers of The Hundred Men’s 2026 after league stage

Adil Rashid – 11 wickets

Southern Brave’s Adil Rashid completes the top three with 11 wickets. The veteran leg-spinner has once again demonstrated his remarkable consistency in The Hundred, finishing just one wicket behind Gleeson and Atkinson

Rashid’s importance to Southern Brave goes beyond simply taking wickets. His ability to bowl through the middle phase and prevent batters from scoring freely gives the captain an important tactical weapon.

The leg-spinner has built a reputation for using subtle changes in pace and trajectory to deceive batters. His googly remains one of his most effective weapons, while his experience allows him to adjust his plans depending on the batter and match situation.

Rashid was also one of the marquee additions to Southern Brave’s 2026 squad, having been signed for £250,000 at the auction. His 11 wickets suggest that the investment paid dividends, even though Southern Brave did not finish among the three playoff teams.

Gus Atkinson – 12 wickets

Manchester Super Giants’ Gus Atkinson matched Gleeson’s tally with 12 wickets, making him joint-top among the wicket-takers after the league stage.

Atkinson has been a crucial component of Manchester’s bowling attack throughout the campaign. His ability to bowl with pace while maintaining attacking lines has allowed captain Jos Buttler to use him as a genuine wicket-taking option.

The England quick has also benefited from operating alongside Josh Tongue, Sonny Baker and Noor Ahmad. The variety within Manchester’s attack has meant opposition batters have had little opportunity to settle into predictable patterns.

Atkinson’s contribution has become even more significant because Manchester Super Giants qualified for the Eliminator. They finished the league stage second and will face Sunrisers Leeds for a place in the final.

That gives Atkinson an opportunity that Gleeson does not have: adding to his wicket tally during the knockout stages. If Manchester are to progress to the final, his ability to strike at crucial moments could prove decisive.

Richard Gleeson – 12 wickets

Richard Gleeson has been one of the standout bowlers of The Hundred Men’s 2026, finishing the league stage at the top of the wicket charts alongside Gus Atkinson. The MI London pacer picked up 12 wickets, with a bowling average of 16.85 according to ESPNcricinfo’s tournament statistics.

Gleeson’s success has been particularly valuable for MI London because of the pressure he has been able to create during crucial stages of the innings. The experienced fast bowler has the ability to generate considerable pace and attack the stumps, while his variations make him difficult to line up in the shorter format.

His performances have also given MI London a reliable wicket-taking option outside their prominent international names. With players such as Trent Boult and Rashid Khan also part of the squad, Gleeson’s contribution has added further variety to their bowling attack.

Although MI London ultimately missed out on the playoffs, Gleeson’s individual campaign stands out. His 12 wickets place him joint-first on the tournament’s bowling charts and underline his consistency throughout the eight-match league campaign.

Gleeson, Atkinson and Rashid lead the bowling charts

The three bowlers have taken contrasting routes to the top. Gleeson and Atkinson have used pace as their primary weapon, while Rashid has once again shown the value of high-quality wrist-spin in the middle overs.

Interestingly, Brydon Carse also finished close behind the top three with 11 wickets, meaning the Sunrisers Leeds quick is tied with Rashid on the wicket tally. ESPNcricinfo’s tournament records list Carse among the leading wicket-takers, making the battle at the top particularly close. 

Carse’s performances have been vital to Sunrisers Leeds’ qualification for the Eliminator. His pace, bounce and ability to strike at important moments have made him one of the leading bowlers of the campaign.

With Manchester Super Giants and Sunrisers Leeds progressing to the Eliminator and Trent Rockets already through to the final, the leading wicket-takers still have an opportunity to influence the title race. Atkinson and Carse can add to their numbers in the knockout stage, while Trent’s bowlers will have one final opportunity at Lord’s.

For now, however, Richard Gleeson and Gus Atkinson share the top spot with 12 wickets apiece, while Adil Rashid and Brydon Carse remain just one wicket behind. With the playoffs approaching, the race for the tournament’s leading wicket-taker could still go down to the wire.