​The three-match ODI series between England and India resumes at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thursday, with the tourists holding a 1-0 lead.Having ended a miserable run of results with a commanding six-wicket win at Edgbaston, Shubman Gill’s side can seal the series with a game to spare, while England must win to force a decider at Lord’s on Sunday.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe picturesque Welsh venue, home to Glamorgan, has staged international cricket since 1999 and hosted marquee events including the 1999 World Cup, the 2013 and 2017 Champions Trophy, and the 2019 World Cup.As both sides prepare for a pivotal contest, the record books at Sophia Gardens make for fascinating reading.The Sporting News brings you the pitch report, key ODI records, and everything you need to know about the venue in the 50-over format.Add The Sporting News as a preferred news sourceThe pitch at Sophia Gardens offers a fair contest between bat and ball. Fast bowlers can extract swing and bounce early, especially under cloudy skies, before the surface slows and spinners come into play as the innings progresses.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe record slightly favors the chasing side. India themselves illustrated the point in the venue’s most recent India fixture, and both sides will factor the toss carefully into their thinking on Thursday.Sophia Gardens has generally been a ground for competitive rather than colossal totals, with a score around 280 to 300 considered par. The venue has, however, produced several 300-plus totals in high-profile fixtures.The most recent ODI here underlined its scoring potential. In June 2025, the West Indies posted 308 before England chased it down, reaching 312 for 7 to complete one of the higher successful pursuits seen at the ground.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: Visit Cricket News for all the latest cricket coverage and opinionThe highest team total at the venue is England’s 386 for 6, posted against Bangladesh during the 2019 World Cup. England won that contest by 106 runs, and the total remains comfortably clear of their own 342 for 8 against Australia in 2018.The lowest completed team total is Afghanistan’s 125 all out against South Africa during the 2019 World Cup. Sri Lanka features next on the list, having twice been dismissed cheaply here, for 136 and 138, both against New Zealand.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe individual batting record belongs to England’s Joe Root, whose unbeaten 166 against West Indies in June 2025 powered a memorable chase. Jason Roy’s 153 against Bangladesh in 2019 and Shaun Marsh’s 131 for Australia in 2018 sit next on the list.Root also leads the run-scoring charts at the ground, having amassed 469 runs in 11 matches at an average of 46.90. Jos Buttler is close behind with 443 runs from 10 games, while Jason Roy is third with 407 runs across just five appearances.England’s Adil Rashid holds the record for the most wickets at the venue, claiming 14 in sev