The Rise of Cricket in the Baltic States

When people think of sports in the Baltic countries, they often picture Lithuania's basketball courts or Latvia's ice hockey rinks.

Cricket, a summer sport played on grassy fields, may seem somewhat out of place in the cooler, Nordic-influenced climate of Northeastern Europe. 

However, over the past twenty years, cricket has steadily gained popularity in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Once a niche sport in the region, it now hosts international tournaments, holds world records, and has a growing community of players.

Among the Baltic countries, Estonia stands out as the only member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), while Latvia and Lithuania are still in the process of developing their cricket programs.

The Early Days

Cricket in the Baltics is still a relatively new sport, but it has spread rapidly. 

A report from ESPNCricinfo titled ‘Cricket in the Baltic States makes big strides’ highlighted significant progress in the sport just before the new millennium. In the early 2000s, cricket was mainly driven by expatriates and enthusiasts, but events like The Helsinki Sixes brought teams from across the Gulf of Finland together, giving local clubs their first taste of competitive cricket.

What began as small exhibition matches in parks has now evolved into organised leagues, with Estonia leading the way for its neighbours to follow.

Estonia: The Baltic Tiger of Cricket

Among the Baltic nations, Estonia is the strongest. Its journey started in 1998, when a returning Estonian businessman and a local Indian restaurant owner began promoting the game. Earlier, matches were played on a football field before moving to a small patch inside the Tallinn Hippodrome, a horse racing track, which became a charming, unique home for cricket.

Estonia’s progress, in particular, has come both from better organisation and good results:

2008: Gained ICC Affiliate status.

2017: Upgraded to ICC Associate status.

2019: Matches against other ICC members were given full T20 International (T20I) status.

The main cricket ground in Estonia is the National Cricket Field at Tiskre, just outside Tallinn. Unlike the improvised pitches of the past, this is a dedicated venue that allows Estonia to hold international tournaments.

Estonian cricket made global news in June 2024 when Sahil Chauhan set a new world record by scoring the fastest century in a T20 International match, reaching 100 runs in just 27 balls during a game against Cyprus. 

His innings of 144 not out included 18 sixes, putting Estonian cricket in the international spotlight in a way no official milestone could. 

Following his remarkable innings, Sahil mentioned he draws inspiration from the Indian legend Rohit Sharma, especially in how he keeps things simple at the crease. Vaayu Saxena from mybettingsitesindia.com/, a site that reviews betting platforms, notes that this isn't surprising. 

He adds, ‘As more Indian expatriates settle in the Baltic states, the popularity of the Indian Premier League is increasing there, and more people are following their cricket heroes from different parts of the world.’  Click here to see the top-rated IPL bookmakers for the 2026 season.

Latvia: Passion with Challenges

South of Estonia, the situation is more complex. Cricket in Latvia is vibrant but still somewhat in an administrative grey area. The Latvian Cricket Federation (LCF) has been active for over two years, organising the local league and the national team, but Latvia is not yet a member of the ICC.

Most cricket played here is by expats, especially students from South Asia (India and Pakistan) studying in Riga. While this keeps the skill level high, it has led to some disagreements over the team’s national identity. 

Recent reports mention the lack of ethnic Latvians in the team, which the federation says it needs to address in order to gain official recognition and government support.

Despite these challenges, Latvia performs strongly in regional tournaments, often challenging Estonia and taking part in the Baltic Cup and Euro T20 Cup.

Lithuania: Quiet but Persistent

Lithuania, renowned for its passion for basketball, has a quieter presence in the cricket arena. Like Latvia, it is not an ICC member and depends mainly on dedicated volunteers and expatriates.

Clubs like Kaunas XI and Vilnius Cricket Club help keep the sport alive locally. Lithuania takes part in the annual Baltic Cup, although it often finishes behind its neighbours. The main difficulty lies in finding suitable grounds—large, flat, grassy fields where cricket can be played—since land is mainly used for football or other development projects.

The Baltic Cup: A Key Competition

The Baltic Cup isn’t just a tournament; it’s an event that brings together the three nations, allowing each to measure its progress. 

For Estonia, it’s a chance to showcase its strength and try out new players; Latvia views it as an opportunity to take on a more established, ICC-recognised team; and for Lithuania, it's about gaining valuable experience against stronger opponents.

Conclusion

Since its modest beginnings in 1999, cricket in the Baltic states has made significant progress. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of players, coaches, and supporters, the future looks promising for this distinctive summer sport in a region better known for its winter pastimes.

Estonia, in particular, has demonstrated that a small Baltic nation can achieve ICC status and produce memorable moments that prove they are a force to be reckoned with.

For Latvia and Lithuania, however, the current challenge is to bridge the gap between their expatriate communities and the local population.

Eventually, they too will follow Estonia’s example and establish themselves as emerging contenders in the European cricket scene.