'One of my favourite moments' – Langer on Khawaja catch

On Thursday, 6 December, the first day of the opening Test of the four-match series, Khawaja, who was stationed at gully, threw himself to his left and snatched the prize catch of the Indian captain.

Given the quality of the catch and the work Khawaja has put in to his fielding and fitness, it was "one of my favourite moments ever in my Test career", said Langer, who described himself as being "over the moon".

"It was actually one of my favourite moments ever in my Test career, I reckon, for so many reasons," Langer, who has featured in 105 Tests for Australia as a player after his debut in 1993, told cricket.com.au in a Facebook Live interaction.

"It's the start of the Test series, it's Kohli, a great start for us, and with everything that's been going on with Uz.

"And also, the most important thing for me, I won't forget just after I was appointed [coach], I was sitting in the driveway in my house, talking to Uzzy about getting himself nice and fit so he could run hard between the wickets and field better.

"So when I see him take a catch like that, I was over the moon – for him and for the team."

Khawaja has reportedly shed around 10kg since Langer took charge. The improved fitness showed recently in his batting as well, when his valiant fourth-innings century against Pakistan in UAE took his side to a thrilling draw.

Praising the batsman's work ethic, Langer added, "We all talk about discipline, but for him to actually put it into practice … I'm so pleased for him, as he's a great role model now for a lot of players around Australia."