Pace bowlers have dominated the series between India and England so far, but the two limited-over matches indicate that the trend might undergo a change, with the spinners having to play a far more important role, especially in the middle stage of the innings.

In the match against Scotland, pace bowlers Ajit Agarkar and Munaf Patel struggled, with the duo failing to sustain the pressure on an inexperienced line-up. It was all the more glaring in the slog overs against an aggressive Craig Wright.

It required the guiles of Piyush Chawla to rein in the free-scoring Gavin Hamilton and Neil McCallum to turn the match decisively in favour of India. The young leg-spinner was playing his first international game in nearly two months, but he took the field with as much ease as a duck to water.

The Uttar Pradesh lad has a puzzling bag of tricks, a googly that even some of the best names have found difficult to pick up and a quicker one that skids off the pitch. These variations were on display against Scotland and their batsmen lost the way in the middle overs.

Chawla had played for India 'A' in Zimbabwe and the youngster said he had benefited from the trip. "The weather in Zimbabwe was pleasant and it was not a problem. It was a good experience, because we didn’t have that many matches at home at that time. Even if it is against Zimbabwe, getting wickets is a boost. It helped me to keep things going. It doesn't matter whether I am playing in a one-day game or a Test match. I want to perform whenever I get a chance," Chawla said.

Ramesh Powar did not pick up any wickets in the Scotland match but he excelled in the support role to stifle the run flow in the middle overs. But there was a role reversal in the practice game against the England Lions, with the Mumbaikar assuming the lead role, grabbing three wickets in the middle stages to rein in their scoring. Had it not been for the effort of Powar in the middle overs, the Lions would have racked up much more than their eventual 296. The Mumbai off-spinner teased and tormented the Lions middle-order with a probing spell. The stocky bowler was not afraid to give an enticing flight to the ball even when the batsmen were going for their shots, helping him to claim vital wickets.

"It's difficult to grip the ball in these conditions. We're trying to practice that at the nets. These two side games have helped us in terms of preparation for the one-day series. I think in a practice game you ought to try something, try different field settings that you may not do in the main games. In the one-dayers these things should help. On a personal level, I don't think about taking a break as whenever you get an opportunity you need to perform for the team," Powar said about his success.

Powar said he has enjoyed bowling alongside Chawla. "I don't think of it as competition with Piyush. But if we bowl together the variation is good and as a player I want to play with Piyush every game," he said.

It will be a luxury — having an off-spinner and leg-spinner in the side with wicket-taking and run-stemming ability — that might be the envy of other teams. In Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, India also have two other handy spinners in the one-day format who can be utilised in the middle overs.

Team balance and conditions will dictate the inclusion two spinners in the playing eleven, but that will certainly be one option the management will mull along the way.