Bumrah and his Indian teammates did not train at the SCG on Wednesday, instead opting for rest.

SCG staff were spotted putting up a black tarpaulin near the outdoor nets so Indian fans could not catch a glimpse of their heroes during a training session on Thursday.

Australia, India and England are the only countries who take part in five-Test series, which prove to be a huge physical challenge for fast bowlers in particular.

Having a dominant bowler such as Bumrah at a captain’s disposal is a luxury but can also be a curse in some ways. There is always the risk of over-bowling them when wickets become scarce.

“He’s been their most influential player and he’s made it difficult for us at times,” said Australian skipper Pat Cummins. “He poses the biggest threat.”

Bumrah has bowled more overs (141.2) than any bowler from both teams. In the 2018-19 series in Australia, a four-match series, Bumrah sent down 157.1 overs for a return of 21 wickets at 17.

Across the first three Tests in that series, Bumrah took figures of 6-115 (Adelaide), 5-92 (Perth) and 9-86 (Melbourne) before losing effectiveness in Sydney, taking 1-64.

He was outstanding in Melbourne last week, taking 9-156, but the number of overs he sent down will be somewhat of a concern given there are only three rest days between the MCG and SCG fixtures.

From 44 Tests, Bumrah has never bowled more than the 53.2 overs he produced in Melbourne. In a perfect world, he’d love a week off to recharge.

Instead, he could be bowling on Friday morning, trying to keep the tourists in a series in which they have been outclassed across the board since Australia’s dismal showing in Perth.

“Bumrah is still going to create a threat no matter where he enters the game,” Cummins said. “In Sydney he’ll be a threat again, so we’re going to have to be able to combat that.”

Bumrah has played in the fifth Test of a series on three occasions but has never got through five in a row.

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If Bumrah can be close to his best in Sydney, India will be in a favourable position to break Australian hearts once again, as they did at the Gabba four years ago.

“I guess they’re managing him. His stats are just unbelievable,” McGrath said.

“He’s been a massive part of the Indian team and the summer. Without him, this series might be a little bit more one-sided. He’s very special.”

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