The New Zealand skipper scored just 216 runs from 13 innings at an average of 19.64 in the IPL this year.
Sunrisers on Tuesday announced that Williamson has not been retained by the franchise, who finished eighth last season.
Nicholas Pooran and Sean Abbott are among the other players who have not been kept on by Hyderabad.
It was also the end of an era for Mumbai Indians, with Kieron Pollard calling time on his IPL playing days and taking over as the franchise's batting coach.
Kolkata Knight Riders will have to do without Pat Cummins, Alex Hales and Sam Billings after the overseas trio opted out of the 2023 tournament.
Dwayne Bravo and Chris Jordan were among the players on the Chennai Super Kings' list of released players, while Jason Holder will not feature for Lucknow Super Giants.
Black Caps duo Daryl Mitchell and Jimmy Neesham will not return to Rajasthan Royals, while the same goes for South Africa batter Rassie Van Der Dussen.
Hosts India have waltzed serenely through the competition, while Australia have rediscovered their fighting instincts after a slow start.
Here, the PA news agency looks at the key issues ahead of the winner-takes-all battle.
Can King Kohli be stopped
With over 300 million followers on social media, Virat Kohli transcends his sport. But with 711 runs in 10 matches to date, he has also proved that he masters it too. Kohli has been in majestic form over the past few weeks, standing up remarkably to sky-high expectations. He has passed 50 eight times and celebrated three centuries. Having failed to deliver a global title as captain, it increasingly appears to be his destiny to deliver one for successor Rohit Sharma. If they are to win, Australia simply must prevent him holding court.
Seam supremacy
Both sides have pace bowlers who can wreak havoc when they are on a roll and an unplayable spell from any one of them could be decisive. In Mohammed Shami, India boast the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with the wily quick claiming a staggering 23 wickets at 9.13 despite sitting out four group matches. He has stolen the spotlight so far, but Jasprit Bumrah is built for the big occasions and will fancy leaving his mark on the final. Australia, meanwhile, lean heavily on the ‘big three’ of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who dovetail brilliantly with their distinct set of skills. Keeping them out of the wickets while maintaining a strong scoring rate remains one of the trickiest challenges around.
Pitch imperfect?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India caused a controversy ahead of the semi-final against New Zealand, switching the pre-agreed pitch for an alternative strip at the eleventh hour. The International Cricket Council’s independent pitch consultant Andy Atkinson was understood to be angry about the barely explained change and flew to Ahmedabad to oversee matters ahead of the final. His recommendation, pitch number five at the Narendra Modi Stadium, has been followed this time but once again it is a used surface having previously hosted India’s game against Pakistan on October 14. A fresher track would be fitting for a game of this magnitude but a worn surface favours the home side, who boast greater spin options. Australia will be paying close attention to how well it plays.
Powerplay positioning
Despite the strength of the new-ball attacks, both teams are built to attack in the first 10 overs. India lead off with their fearless captain Rohit Sharma and the incorrigible driver Shubman Gill, while Australia look to dominate through the trailblazer-turned-veteran David Warner and the in-form Travis Head. All four openers have the ball-striking ability to take the game away from opponents and it will not have escaped anybody’s notice that the team who bosses the powerplay head-to-head is the team that typically wins in these conditions. Of the quartet, 37-year-old Warner is in the most interesting position as he retires from the format at the end of the match. Nothing would vex this tigerish competitor more than bowing out without getting his punches in first.
Stand-in captain Rahane was afforded two lives en route to an unbeaten 104 for India, who reached 277-5 and a lead of 82 before stumps was called prematurely due to rain on Sunday.
Australia were woeful in the field, dropping four catches at the MCG, where Mitchell Starc (2-61) was left visibly frustrated after Travis Head spilled a catch to dismiss centurion Rahane with what proved to be the final ball of the day.
India resumed on 36-1 – in response to Australia's 195 in the second Test – after dominating the opening day in front of a capped Melbourne crowd and the tourists only lost four wickets to take control.
Shubman Gill (45) and Cheteshwar Pujara (17) did not last long as India fell to 64-3 following a masterful spell of bowling from star Australia paceman Pat Cummins (2-71), before the patient and anchoring Rahane got to work in the middle.
Tim Paine put down Gill in the second over of the day off the bowling of Josh Hazlewood (0-44), but the Australia captain made amends when he combined brilliantly with Cummins for two wickets.
Hanuma Vihari added 21 runs before he was sent packing by spinner Nathan Lyon (1-52) – bringing Rishabh Pant to the crease.
Explosive wicketkeeper Pant produced an entertaining 29-run cameo off 40 deliveries, but it came to an end when Starc broke through for his second wicket of the innings.
It brought up a milestone for Starc, who celebrated his 250th Test wicket, as Paine recorded his 150th dismissal.
Supported by Ravindra Jadeja (40 not out), Rahane posted his 12th Test ton and eighth away from home following the tea break – a boundary bringing up a memorable hundred from 195 balls.
The 26-year-old son of Windies great Shivnarine Chanderpaul will make his bow in the five-day game on Wednesday, and Brathwaite suggests he could soon be setting the standards.
Chanderpaul made a century and a fifty against a Prime Minister's XI in Canberra as West Indies prepared for this series, leaving no doubt he will open the innings as the two-Test series begins.
"I think it was great to see. He'll do extremely well at this higher level," Brathwaite said. "He has a lot of patience, he has good defence, and in Test cricket that's the basics you want, and from there you can always branch off and play a few shots.
"He was an example for us in the first game, and if we take a leaf out of his book for this series I think we'll be in good stead as batsmen.
"I didn't open with [Shivnarine] Chanderpaul, but I played with him. Obviously he was a great, so it's not shocking he had a son that's playing. I think 'Tage' will do a fantastic job and let's hope he could even do greater things, like his father would have done."
Australia's men have not lost any of their last 11 Test series against West Indies (W10, D1) and have won their last eight in succession, last suffering a defeat in the format in 1993 against the Caribbean opposition.
Brathwaite appreciates the scale of the challenge this time, saying: "We know Australia is a superior team. We've got to play 10 days of hard cricket, that is the main focus."
Australia spinner Nathan Lyon has taken a standout 14 wickets at an average of 15.5 at Perth Stadium in Tests against India and New Zealand, and now he gets a third outing at the venue.
Lyon told cricket.com.au: "I'm pretty excited to be honest. There's something about the ground. I used to enjoy bowling at the WACA as well, where you're able to use the breeze to your advantage and get some drift. Drift and bounce are the big things over here, and they are my biggest weapons."
Recent form provides hope for Windies
While Australia have dominated this rivalry of late, the current year has been a strong one for West Indies in Tests, with the team winning series against England and Bangladesh without losing a match.
The successive series wins followed a run that saw them win only one of their eight series prior (D2, L5), and West Indies have not won three in succession since a run of success from August 2012 to March 2013.
Cummins closing in
Home captain Pat Cummins (199) is one away from becoming the 19th player to take 200 wickets for Australia in men's Tests. This will be his 44th Test, and if he takes that wicket in Perth it will mean Cummins becomes the fifth-fastest player to reach 200 for Australia (Clarrie Grimmett – 36 matches, Dennis Lillee – 38, Stuart MacGill – 41, Shane Warne – 42).
The latest edition of the tournament was due to begin on March 29 with a rematch of last year's final between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, but the coronavirus pandemic has put the IPL - along with all other major sporting events - on hold.
India has a travel ban in place for all international flights until April 14, meaning Australian fast bowler Cummins remains in his homeland as he waits for an update on the situation.
Media reports in India have suggested organisers may shift the campaign to take place in October and November instead, though such a move could only be made if the International Cricket Council decides to cancel the Twenty20 World Cup, which is due to take place at a similar time in Australia.
"Everything is changing, literally every single day," Cummins said during a video conference call with reporters on Friday. "The last I spoke to them (the Knight Riders), they said they're still really confident and hopeful it will be on at some stage.
"They obviously haven't cancelled it or anything like that yet. It's still a bit of a holding pattern, so we're in contact with our teams every few days.
"Obviously everyone is still really keen for it to go ahead, but the priority is to minimise risk of this spreading.
"It's going to be pretty tight, I think the travel ban (in India) is in place until April 14, so I don't expect anything too soon to happen."
While disappointed at not being able to play for the Knight Riders right now, Cummins - who became the IPL's most expensive overseas signing at December's auction - is making the most of the unexpected break following a hectic 12 months.
The bowler was part of Australia's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England and then also the Ashes series that followed, while he was a regular in all formats throughout a busy summer schedule on home soil.
"The preference would be to be over there (at the IPL) playing, but I think the silver lining is we do get a bit of a break," Cummins told the media.
"We're lucky in cricket, that it [the IPL] is right at the end of the season. We've played basically our whole season out, except for the last couple of games (against New Zealand) and we're always looking for those small breaks to refresh.
"But it almost feels like the start of an off-season at the moment, albeit we're all training by ourselves at home rather than going to the team gym."
Both sides needed an emphatic win in their last match of the regular season to stay in the hunt for a place in the last four and it was KKR who delivered.
Morgan's side are up to fourth and must now wait for the outcome of the clashes between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday and Sunrisers Hyderabad and Mumbai Indians the following day to see if they qualify.
England ODI captain Morgan top scored with 68 not out off 35 balls to get the Knight Riders up to 191-7 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Shubman Gill (36) and Rahul Tripathi (39) also chipped in, while Rahul Tewatia was the pick of the bowlers with 3-25 and Jofra Archer (1-19) was outstanding yet again.
The Royals could only muster 131-9 in reply, paceman Cummins doing the bulk of the damage with 4-34.
Defeat for Steve Smith's men leaves them bottom of the table despite a late resurgence, Shivam Mavi and Varun Chakravarthy taking two wickets apiece as they fell well short of their victory target.
MORGAN GIVES STOKES A TASTE OF HIS OWN MEDICINE
Gill and Tripathi put on 72 for the second wicket in eight overs after Archer had Nitish Rana caught behind for a golden duck in the first over.
Tewatia got rid of Gill and Sunil Narine in a ninth over that went for just six runs, but skipper Morgan flexed his muscles in dewy conditions and Andre Russell smashed 25 off 11 balls.
Ben Stokes had a day to forget, Morgan hitting his England team-mate for back-to-back sixes in a penultimate over that cost 24 runs, with the left-hander – who cleared the rope six times – also setting about Shreyas Gopal.
RAPID CUMMINS RATTLES ROYALS
The Royals needed their key men such as Stokes and Smith to fire, but their tournament was all-but over when they were 41-5 at the end of the powerplay.
Cummins steamed through the top order, removing Robin Uthappa, Stokes, Smith and Riyan Parag.
Jos Buttler made 35 and Tewatia 31 but Rajasthan were never going to recover from Australia paceman Cummins' devastating early hostile burst.
Captain Cummins and fellow paceman Starc were lethal in the evening session as Pakistan collapsed from 214-2 to 268 all out in reply to Australia's 391 in Lahore.
The outstanding Cummins took 5-56 and Starc 4-33, with Babar Azam's side unable to contend with the reverse swing and pace they generated with the second new ball.
Abdullah Shafique (81), Azhar Ali (78) and Babar (67) had put Pakistan in a promising position, but they lost seven wickets in the final session before Australia closed on 11 without loss - leading by 134 runs.
Australia were unable to make a breakthrough in the morning session after Pakistan resumed on 90-1, Shafique and Azhar bringing up their half-centuries as they added 69 runs before lunch.
A second-wicket stand of 150 finally ended when Nathan Lyon got Shafique caught behind following a review, but Steve Smith was unable to take chances to remove Babar on 20 and Azhar, when he had 62 to his name, in the slips as the runs flowed more freely.
Azhar passed 7,000 Test runs, but Pakistan were 214-3 when Cummins took a brilliant catch off his own bowling to end his excellent knock.
Starc then cleaned up Fawad Alam and Mohammad Rizwan as the momentum swung dramatically in Australia's favour after tea, with the magnificent Cummins also conjuring up substantial reverse swing as he saw the back of Sajid Khan, Nauman Ali and Hasan Ali to claim a five-wicket haul.
Babar was trapped leg before by Starc, who then produced a searing delivery that crashed into Naseem Shah's off stump to end Pakistan's innings with a flash. Usman Khawaja and David Warner then saw off three overs as Australia took command.
Cummins and Starc produce pace-bowling masterclass
After spending much of the day toiling with wickets hard to come by once again, Starc and Cummins were at their brilliant best late in the day.
They got the ball swinging, while also bowling perfect lengths at pace to tear through the Pakistan order, taking seven wickets for 20 runs.
Cummins became the first paceman to take a five-wicket haul in the series and his seventh in the longest format, producing a peach of a delivery that Sajid chopped on before pinning Nauman leg before and getting Hasan caught by Smith.
Pakistan crumble after trio build strong foundations
It looked like a first-innings lead was there for the taking for Pakistan courtesy of fine knocks from Shafique, Azhar and Babar.
The trio batted superbly on a good pitch, but the middle order and tail was blown away by Cummins and Starc, with three batters falling without scoring and Rizwan only making one.
Paine sensationally resigned in shame on Friday and was reduced to tears as he apologised for being embroiled in a sexting scandal.
The wicketkeeper, who is married with two children, revealed the decision was based on an explicit text exchange with a female former Cricket Tasmania colleague in 2017.
Vice-captain Cummins is expected to take over from Paine, who will still be available for selection to face England.
Former Australia skipper Waugh endorsed paceman Cummins to step up.
"Pat Cummins is definitely the front-runner to lead the side in Brisbane for the first Test, he's the vice-captain and there is a lot of talk of him taking over Tim Paine sooner or later even without this incident. So, I think he is the logical choice," Waugh told WA Today.
"For the vice-captain, I don't know, someone like a Steve Smith might be a good vice-captain, he's experienced."
Mark Taylor is another ex-Australia captain to back Cummins for the role three years after Smith's reign as skipper ended due to the Newlands ball-tampering scandal.
"I think CA [Cricket Australia] will probably want to go for someone fresh and clean. The timing will make it a more comfortable decision for CA to make Pat the captain," Taylor told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
"It will be hard to go back after another controversy to Steve. I know Pat very well, he's a terrific fella. I think it is harder for a quick bowler to be captain. In terms of leadership he will be very good because he’s a good, solid human being."
Australia batter Travis Head thinks Cummins would be a good appointment.
"Obviously Pat’s been well spoken about, named as vice-captain, it's hard to go past him, or give him the opportunity to," he said.
"He's someone who oozes leadership, not only in the way he presents himself and speaks and the way he goes about things and the way he trains, but also when he's on the field."
Warner failed twice as the tourists were hammered by an innings and 132 runs in the first match of the Border-Gavaskar series in Nagpur.
The 36-year-old had eased the pressure on himself by scoring a magnificent double century in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa at the MCG, and Australia captain Cummins has given his backing to the left-hander.
He said on the eve of the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium: "I'm not a selector. I don't think they've had a meeting but I'm sure Davey will be there.
"You saw at the Boxing Day Test when he puts pressure back on the opposition, he's pretty hard to bowl to. You don't get as many bad balls, so he knows that. I'm sure that'd be part of his plan.
"He has been batting really well here. Even in the lead-up, I thought he was fantastic. I know there's a lot of talk about spin bowling through the middle but with that new ball it's sometimes the hardest time to bat as well."
There remains uncertainty over whether paceman Mitchell Starc and all-rounder Cameron Green will be fit to take their place in the side in Delhi on Friday.
The duo have been out with finger injuries and Cummins says the tourists are mulling over their options, with Starc potentially overlooked in favour of a third spinner as Matthew Kuhnemann stands by to make his debut and Ashton Agar awaits his chance.
Asked about playing three spinners, Cummins said: "I think there's a conversation. We'll work that out by the end of today, I hope.
"[Starc] is one of the world's premier bowlers in these types of conditions. We'll see. The wicket looks like it might turn a little bit. I thought last week with two pacers, that attack functioned quite well, but I think whether it's Starcy, another spinner, Scott [Boland], variety in the attack does help."
Cummins said of Green: "Having a right-hander helps and him providing our fifth bowling option also helps. He's a big player. It certainly helps the team function well from batting and bowling.
"You have got to be able to perform as well. He's still coming back from that injury. He's only had [one] session where he's catching with a hard ball. He had a really good session yesterday. We will see how he pulls up."
Former opener Langer guided his country to T20 World Cup success last November before overseeing a 4-0 Ashes thrashing of England across December and January.
However, the 51-year-old rejected a short-term extension on his contract, which was due to expire in June, and resigned as head coach of Australia last week.
Mitchell Johnson, Usman Khawaja and Shane Warne headed a host of names in Australian cricket to question the treatment of Langer, who has recently been linked with the vacant England head coach role.
But Cummins responded by emphasising his defence of his team-mates and Cricket Australia on Wednesday as he addressed the matter for the first time with a statement and later at a news conference.
The fast bowler wrote: "Justin has acknowledged that his style was intense. And it was. He has apologised to players and staff for his intensity.
"I think the apology was unnecessary because the players were okay with JL's intensity. It came from a good place - his fierce love of Australia and the baggy green - something which has served Australian cricket well for three decades.
"I take this responsibility seriously. I live and breathe it. We also have a duty to our mates. Many former players have reached out to me and silently offered me their advice, which is welcome.
"Some others have spoken in the media – which is also welcome and comes from a love of the game and their support of a mate.
"To all past players, I want to say this: Just as you have always stuck up for your mates, I'm sticking up for mine."
Cummins, who also explained it would not have been right for him to make "public comment" on the topic earlier, praised Langer's efforts, though he is now looking forward to a new era of Australian cricket.
"I think this group looking forward, a few things through the review process we really wanted and found important to get the best out of our players is I think the players benefit from a more collaborative approach," Cummins told reporters.
"A big theme this summer was to be more calm, more composed. That's been the feedback from the players, staff and Cricket Australia that that's the direction we want to take the team.
"I think he tweaked and changed quite a bit. He deserves a lot of credit for that. I think the question then became do we think that it's sustainable. We thought it is the right time to make a change.
"I think some of these skill sets are perhaps a little bit different to perhaps his traditional coaching style.
"I think he tweaked his coaching style in the last six months and did a really good job, but we think now is the right time for a different direction. It's a matter of opinion but we think it's the right one."
Andrew McDonald has been promoted from assistant coach in the interim and is expected to lead Australia when they tour Pakistan in March.
The Indians posted 161-4 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, Suryakumar Yadav top scoring with 52 off 36 balls with support from Tilak Varma (38 not out) and Kieron Pollard (22no).
Mumbai looked to be on course for their first win of the tournament when KKR were 101-5 in the 14th over, but Australia Test captain Cummins had other ideas.
The paceman matched KL Rahul's record for the fastest IPL half-century from 14 balls and put the Knight Riders top by hitting Daniel Sams for six to seal victory with four overs to spare, Venkatesh Iyer also playing a big hand with an unbeaten 50.
The hosts were denied a clean sweep in the three-match series after they tied with the Proteas at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday, with a rain-affected match hampering their hopes of a win.
Australia had two catches overturned by third umpire Richard Kettleborough after the ball was judged to have touched the ground following numerous replays, while South Africa were also denied the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne on day one in the same manner.
Cummins was less than impressed with the process, though refused to blame Kettleborough and instead speculated over what could be done to help the third umpire.
"I don't really know the answers, but there has to be a way to try and improve it somehow," he said. "As it currently stands, it's really hard to give a batter out.
"If there's any kind of benefit of the doubt, it goes the batter's way. I think with a couple of camera angles really slowed down, it's pretty hard not to find doubt somewhere.
"I do feel for Ketts a little bit up there. Maybe there's more cameras we can use down the track. Surely there can be some small changes we can make."
Steve Smith, who was denied a catch for the second time in the game after Heinrich Klaasen was edged to him off Nathan Lyon, echoed his captain's sentiments.
"Yesterday, I was a bit more uncertain than today," he added. "I was pretty certain I got underneath the one today.
"I think those ones that are close to the turf always don't look great. But today I felt the slap on my fingers and I knew I was under the ball."
India great Sunil Gavaskar told the Daily Telegraph he expected the tourists to target Will Pucovski with the short ball after the batsman was hit in the helmet by a bouncer during a tour game.
Pucovski, 22, suffered mild concussion symptoms, which have put him in some doubt for the opening Test beginning in Adelaide next week, even with David Warner (adductor) ruled out.
But while Cummins said Australia liked to use the short ball at home, he cannot see a bouncer war being a major feature of the series.
"I'm not sure about that. For someone like Will, he's been hearing that for a couple of years. Scoring two double centuries back-to-back, I think he can handle that pretty well," he told reporters on Friday.
"If that happens then good luck, us bowlers will worry about what we want to do. Of course, it's a weapon that we like to use. Of course, here in Australia as well, slightly bouncier wickets, try to push the batter back.
"We'll see what happens. I can't see it being too much of a headline grabber this summer."
Cummins, 27, has been touted as a potential future captain of Australia, with Test skipper Tim Paine having celebrated his 36th birthday on Tuesday.
Backed by former captain Michael Clarke, Cummins said it was nice to receive the support.
"He's been a great supporter for me my whole career really. Yeah, great to hear from a really well-respected captain," he said.
"I loved having him as a captain when I played, I feel like he made me walk taller in my early years when I was still trying to find my feet. Having an ex-captain who has been there and done that, as a vote of confidence, that's nice.
"Of course, it means absolutely nothing because we've got some great captains at the moment, but very kind words.
"Speaking to a few people, out of all the formats potentially Tests are the easiest for a bowler to captain. Obviously you're going to be busy and putting in a lot of effort into bowling, but there's a bit more time that is afforded to you. The game moves at a slightly softer pace. I know there haven't been too many bowling captains, but I don't understand why it has to be a batter."
The tourists backed spinners Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson despite both bowling in excess of 50 overs in the second innings of the second Test which ended in a draw on Wednesday.
Conditions are expected to be similar in Lahore as they were in the previous two Tests with Karachi and Rawalpindi, where only 42 wickets fell overall.
"We were really happy with how all 11 players went last Test," Cummins told reporters on Sunday.
"Everyone has pulled up really well. We gave them an extra couple of days to make sure everyone has come up good. But there's no injury worries, everyone is freshened up, so we're confident in the XI.
"Only having two quick bowlers, I think reverse swing is going to be a big factor and the way Starcy played last game was fantastic.
"It's always tough leaving out someone like Joshy [Josh Hazlewood], even Scotty Boland. But the class and the difference Starcy brings as a left-armer, a bit more air speed, we think that's the best chance to take 20 wickets."
Cummins added that he felt Australia could take the necessary 20 wickets needed to win the third Test, having created chances that were not taken in Karachi as Pakistan resolutely batted out more than 171 overs to hold on for a draw.
"I think what's been clear... is the way we've gone about it is the right way," he said. "I've been really happy with how everyone has gone about their work (and) the tactics. I think it's just a matter of taking those chances.
"Wickets are at a premium in this series so you can't afford to drop too many chances. We created more than 10 chances [in Karachi], we just unfortunately didn't take them, so that's going to be the challenge this week."
The vice-captain has featured in just 25 Twenty20 internationals but is optimistic he can be a key performer when the tournament is held in his homeland during October and November.
Cummins features in Australia's squad for the three-match T20 series against South Africa that begins on Friday in Johannesburg.
The paceman is coming off a sticky ODI series in January against India, taking just two wickets in three games at the cost of 161 runs.
Asked how he might look to improve, Cummins told Omnisport: "There's always lots of things. The good thing is we've got a T20 World Cup this year. I haven't played a lot of T20 in the last couple of years so I'm excited for that.
"We've got plenty of games to work out a few things, but there's always something to work on."
Cummins had an early introduction to international cricket, making his T20 and Test debut at the age of 18, before injuries disrupted his career.
Now 26, each year that goes by without a major injury setback is a blessed relief.
It means that when he looks back at the past 12 months, he can point to "fortunately, more highs than lows".
"Everything has gone to plan," Cummins said. "It's been brilliant to play as much as I have, but also I've been really happy with how it's all coming out and yeah, a few series wins, it's been nice."
"The more you bowl, the more confident you feel you can just concentrate on just trying to bowl well, rather than all these different things, so I've been really lucky. It's been a good run, some big series that I've been fully fit for, it makes a big difference."
Cummins says he would be open to captaining his country in the future if the opportunity arises.
"Potentially if it came up, but I don't think that now is a time to talk about it," Cummins said. "We're in great form, the Test side, after a pretty much flawless summer and bringing back the Ashes, so we'll talk about it down the track."
The tourists took a first-innings lead of 109 at the Galle International Stadium on Friday before bowling Sri Lanka out for only 113.
Nathan Lyon took 4-31 after claiming a five-wicket haul in the first innings, and part-time spinner Travis Head, who had never taken a Test wicket, claimed stunning figures of 4-10 as Sri Lanka folded.
Mitchell Swepson took the other two wickets, and after being set only five runs to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, David Warner hit Ramesh Mendis for four and then six inside the first over to seal an emphatic victory.
Australia captain Cummins said: "A couple of new words we're using about our approach is about being proactive and being brave.
"We saw some really clear methods from all the batters. They might have been individually a bit different, but you saw everyone being really proactive and putting pressure back on the bowlers. It's something you'd normally talk about in one-day cricket or T20 cricket. But I think that's the style over here that's needed."
He added: "I think it's part of the environment that we are trying to create. Failure is absolutely okay, as long as you are failing in a way you are happy to be."
The paceman lavished praise on spinner Lyon, who moved into the top 10 on the list of all-time leading Test wicket-takers by taking his tally to 436.
"I wouldn't change Lyon for anyone," Cummins said. "He's gone into the top 10 wicket-takers of all time. You saw him out there. He's unplayable for left or right-handers.
"Sometimes out here, bounce for spinners is spoken about [as] something that's not desirable, but he showed here with that bounce he was unplayable. His stamina as well – you give him the ball from one end and say see you at the end of the day."
Australia captain Cummins has confirmed leg-spinner Swepson will play when the two-match series gets under way at the Galle International Stadium on Wednesday.
Swepson made his debut in the longest format during the series victory in Pakistan in March, taking two wickets in as many matches.
With Ashton Agar ruled out due to side strain and Jon Holland nursing a finger injury, the 28-year-old will get another opportunity in a Test that will be dedicated to the late, great Shane Warne four months after he tragically passed away.
Skipper Cummins said: "We're really happy with Swepo. He is bowling beautifully and really ready for this one.
"These conditions … it's quite different to what we experience in Australia. That's the challenge of trying to win overseas.
"A lot of our preparation work has been around trusting our own methods. We might go about it a little bit differently to how Sri Lanka will."
The paceman added: "I think his role here might be slightly different as well. Pakistan we knew was going to be a slow grind and I thought he did his job despite not taking the wickets he would like. He was a really important cog in that bowling engine.
"It's always exciting having a leggie in the side as a captain. It feels like a real luxury to throw him the ball and see him go about it."
Glenn Maxwell could provide another spin option along with first-choice tweaker Nathan Lyon if Travis Head misses out with a hamstring injury.
If World Test Championship leaders Australia take a 1-0 lead in their quest to win the Warne-Muralidaran Trophy, it will be their 400th Test victory. However, Sri Lanka have won each of their past three Tests against Australia on home soil.
Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh 1-0 away from home in their last Test series under new head coach Chris Silverwood.
Sri Lanka looking to put Australia in a spin
Captain Dimuth Karunaratne suggested Sri Lanka will select three spinners, with the uncapped Jeffrey Vandersay called up after impressing in a 3-2 ODI series win over Australia.
Lasith Embuldeniya, Praveen Jayawickrama and Ramesh Mendis are the other tweakers in the squad.
Sri Lanka have won eight of their past 12 Tests at Galle International Stadium, including the previous two.
Landmark Test for in-form Khawaja
Usman Khawaja has had a new lease of life since he was recalled during the 4-0 Ashes hammering of England.
The left-handed batter is set to play in his 50th Test in Galle on the back of an outstanding series in Pakistan - scoring two centuries and making 97 in the first Test.
Khawaja has an average of just 28.4 against Sri Lanka – his second lowest against any team he's played more than one Test against.
A devastating six-wicket performance from Nathan Lyon helped the hosts to a 164-run victory at Optus Stadium, despite a defiant half-century in defeat from Roston Chase.
Cummins elected not to bowl in the final innings after suffering a minor quad strain earlier in the Test however, sparking fears he may have to sit out their next match in Adelaide, starting on Thursday.
But the captain thinks he will be able to play, and discussed how he will measure his workload ahead of the game, plus a subsequent red-ball series with South Africa.
"I felt okay," he said. "It was more not trying to run as opposed to being restricted to run. If it got a bit tighter, I was going to have a bowl but [I'm] pretty happy I managed not to, to give myself a good chance.
"It's just a small strain. If you bowl, you make it worse and can make [recovery] longer. I'll spend the next few days rehabbing, getting it right, and I think it's a pretty good chance I'll be good for Adelaide.
"We've got five Tests and I want to make sure I'm available for all five. It's always like that. But a lot of the Test matches you leave with absolutely nothing left in the tank."
With four more matches to come this month, though, Cummins said he would leave the call in the hands of Australia's medical staff and selectors amid a series of short turnarounds.
"You don't really want to turn a one-week injury into a three or four-week injury, and potentially miss the summer," he added. "So we'll weigh all that up.
"As I said, I felt pretty comfortable out there. The physio might be less optimistic, but I think I'll be fine. I'm sure I'll have running and a bit of bowling to make sure I'm right."
Cummins, speaking ahead of the first Test against the West Indies that starts in Perth on Wednesday, insisted there was no "ill will" towards Langer.
Langer criticised anonymous "cowards" who leaked information against him during his time as Australia coach, when speaking to the Back Chat podcast which was released last week.
The ex-Australian opener, who ultimately resigned from the role in February after only being offered a short-term extension, had tried to backtrack from those comments, stating the players were "like my younger brothers".
Cummins moved to defend his teammates on Tuesday but reiterated there were no hard feelings with Langer.
"There's no cowards in an Australian cricket team, not ever," Cummins told reporters. "I'd probably never disclose private conversations.
"I think it's disappointing sometimes the focus gets drawn to off-field issues but it hasn't really affected our team."
Cummins added: "I think there's no ill will to what he was trying to do and he clarified afterwards.
"I think he had a think about it and clarified it, so thank him for that. But we're really proud of the last 12 months, how we've fronted up, the way we've played, the way we've conducted ourselves. Players can certainly hold their heads high."
Cummins confirmed no surprises in the side's XI for the first Test with fast bowler Scott Boland and opening batsman Marcus Harris to be the two players to miss out from Australia's 13-man squad.
"To be honest it is the most stable team I have played in ever," Cummins said. "You could probably have picked the side 12 months ago, I feel like we are in a good spot.
"Everyone has done well to get them fit and firing for this series and we’re in a really good place. Easy decision."
Hazlewood produced a spectacular piece of fielding to dismiss Hanuma Vihari on day three in Sydney, where Australia are well placed.
The paceman moved to his right at mid-off before quickly unleashing a throw while diving, catching Vihari well short of his ground.
Cummins compared the effort to something that might have been produced by Rhodes, the South African considered one of the best fielders of his time.
"Jonty Rhodes! How good was he. Unbelievable," Cummins told Fox Sports.
"Big fella still getting it done after bowling all day. Amazing. I'm sure he'll have that replay up tonight."
The effort drew comparisons to a similar run out by Cummins against India in Adelaide in 2018.
But Cummins had no doubt over whose was better.
"Great run out, well and truly on the podium, but he had fresh legs, he had three stumps to aim at, pretty early in the day, but other than that a pretty good effort I thought," he said.
Cummins took 4-29 as Australia dismissed India for 244 in response to their first-innings total of 338.
The hosts moved to 103-2 at stumps, a lead of 197 runs, to be in position to push for a 2-1 series lead.
Cummins said the SCG pitch, which showed signs of uneven bounce, was becoming difficult to bat on.
"It's a little bit up and down, today's day three, it's probably more like a day four or five wicket," he said.
"You've just got to throw the ego out the door and just bowl straight. It's going to be a slow grind, set some straight fields, and just kind of hope that the odd ball jumps.
"I thought we stuck to that plan really well and it worked out for us."
