Usman Khawaja said his incredible catch to dismiss Virat Kohli just "stuck" as Australia dominated India early on day one of the first Test.

Khawaja produced the highlight in Adelaide as the hosts got India's danger man and captain Kohli for just three on Thursday.

Fielding at gully, Khawaja dived to his left and hung onto a stunning one-handed catch after Kohli pushed at a somewhat wide delivery from Pat Cummins to leave India at 19-3.

"I stuck my hand out and it stuck. It's nice when they do stick," the 31-year-old, who endured an interrupted preparation after his brother was arrested, told Fox Sports during the tea break.

"It was good little momentum going too, because we got a couple of early ones and to get that and we got a few more was really nice.

"Sometimes on a good day you need those to stick."

After winning the toss on a hot day in Adelaide, India were struggling at 143-6 at tea.