The 25-year-old said on Monday the timing of his last-day declaration in the third Test, which came at lunch and all but ensured the match would wind up a draw, had been devised with the emotional challenges of the SCG in his thoughts. Declaration: Steve Smith after the third Test against India. Credit:Getty Images While Smith was criticised for being overly cautious the result allowed Australia to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the series ledger 2-0, and he pledged to be more aggressive in the future. "I said it last week, I didn't want to to let India back in the series at all," Smith said. "I had this week in the back of my mind as well, knowing how hard this week could be. To have the series wrapped up I think we can play a little bit more relaxed and not have that extra pressure of having to win this Test match. If the same thing comes around again I'm sure I'll be a bit more aggressive." Smith said it was a "good thing" Hughes had been honoured with the plaque, arranged by the Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust. "Hughesy was one of us, he was one of our good mates," he said. "Particularly this week, it's going to be great to be able to walk past that and see the little fella there and give us a bit of inspiration as we're going out on the field.

"The boys in Adelaide did a terrific job to get themselves up for that Test match so quickly after the tragic incident. I think just coming back to the place where it happened, I thought it was going to be extremely tough for the boys – particularly the ones that were out there on the day. Pausing to reflect: Nathan Lyon walks past the commemorative plaque erected in a tribute to the late Phillip Hughes at Sydney Cricket Ground. Credit:Getty Images "It's going to be a tough Test match for all those involved and everyone else as well. Hopefully we can hold our emotions together well and end this series well. We've just got to make sure we're very respectful to the Hughes family that are going to be down here for this Test match. That's very important to us and it's very important to them. "It's going to be another emotional Test match and hopefully we can do the Hughes family proud by playing well this week." The text on the plaque.

The Hughes tragedy has affected different players in different ways but Smith said they had done well to cope in the six weeks since. "The boys have handled it pretty well so far," he said. "Davey Warner said (on Sunday) that he might not know how he's feeling until he actually gets out in the middle and starts playing again. We've just got to take care of each other this week. "It's pretty important for us to make sure everyone's in as good as spirits as they can be." The best way to get over things is get out there on the field - Virat Kohli. In a series in which he has regularly been at loggerheads with the Australians, India's new captain Virat Kohli is very much on the same page on this sombre topic. "I can't really imagine what the family must feel like coming to this Test match," Kohli said. "I know it's going to be pretty hard for them. And as a cricketer more than anything it's something that everyone can relate to and know the feeling of the family.

"It is going to be a strange feeling stepping on to the field knowing that the incident happened on this very ground but hopefully as the game starts we cannot think about it and get on with the sport which the two teams have done really well in this series." Loading Kohli attended Hughes' funeral in Macksville last month and praised Australia for having been able to complete the series while overcoming the shock and grief of Hughes' death. "It's a commendable thing to get themselves together and be up for the competition, and we have certainly enjoyed that competition from them," he said. "So hopefully both the teams can get that aside as quickly as possible and you have seen the best way to get over things is get out there on the field and play the sport. I'm sure that will help both teams, more so Australia than anyone else."