Watch: Khawaja takes a stunner to dismiss Kohli

Australia needed a special effort to counter the world’s best Test batsman Virat Kohli and they found it in the form of Usman Khawaja’s stunning catch in the gully region on day one of the Adelaide Test.

Khawaja takes a blinder, Kohli dismissed for a low score 

After winning the toss, Team India was in all sorts of trouble as both openers departed early. However the presence of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at the crease created a hope of a comeback in the minds of Indian fans.

@imVkohli gone too, that’s three top batsmen back in the dressing toom, India imploding in the first hour itself. What a superb catch by Khawaja! Could possibly be turning point of the match

— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 6, 2018

But in the 11th over, the Indian captain couldn’t resist the temptation to drive Josh Hazlewood’s wide and full delivery in the covers. Kohli missed the stroke and the outside edge flew in the direction of third-man.

Khawaja stationed at gully region leapt to his left side and grabbed the ball in one hand. It was an exhibition of stunning reflexes and alertness by the Aussie cricketer.

Watch Khawaja’s stunning catch to dismiss Kohli here

WHAT A CATCH! You'll struggle to see better than this from @Uz_Khawaja to remove @imVkohli all summer #Kohli #ViratKohli

LIVE #AUSvIND: https://t.co/SvdReIFfuA pic.twitter.com/5P3gPQB5Ho

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) December 6, 2018

Ponting impressed, Starc calls it ‘Khawaja 3.0’

The Australian cricketer received plenty of appreciation for his magnificent fielding effort. Fellow team mate and pace bowler Mitchell Star stated that Khawaja is on fire and has made a huge effort in the last nine months and it’s showing in his batting and fielding.

Sharpest thing Khawaja's got a hand to since pic.twitter.com/4f1ao3LMNF

— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E) December 6, 2018

Starc believed it was a great catch, probably one he will keep bringing up now. He feels this is the ‘Khawaja 3.0’.

Fomer Australia captain Ricky Ponting too is impressed by Khawaja’s effort. He noted that it is a great catch because of how much he has moved to his weak side.

An incredible grab from Usman Khawaja on day one, but was it better than this Ricky Ponting screamer back in the day? We asked Punter for his verdict!#AUSvIND | @GilletteAU pic.twitter.com/t2o88nf01i

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018

Also read: A sage in AUS: Twitter hails Pujara’s hundred 

Ponting also feels that when you add on the fact that it’s Virat Kohli in the first innings of the first Test of the summer, that makes it an even better catch.

The former Aussie cricketer explained that Khawaja has improved his fielding out of sight. He pointed out that the left-hand batsman is now a bit trimmer, has lost a bit of weight, and obviously more focused on his fitness and his fielding than ever before.