Kolkata, Nov 15 : "Whenever M. S. Dhoni hits a six, he says he did not connect the ball," stylish batsman V. V. S. Laxman said here Tuesday tongue-in-cheek at the end of day two of the second cricket Test against the West Indies.

"I start laughing because he easily clears the boundary," Laxman continued.

Laxman struck an unbeaten 176 while Dhoni cracked a blitzy 144 as India declared their first innings closed at 631/7 at the Eden Gardens.

The duo shared a 224-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Praising Dhoni, Laxman said: "When we needed quick runs, it was easy for me because Dhoni was at the other side and common sense says that take a single and give him as much strike as possible. And that's because he is definitely a cleaner hitter than me."

Describing Dhoni as a brilliant batsmen, the Hyderabadi said it was great to bat alongside his captain.

"It's always great to see Dhoni. He is a brilliant batsman, he puts the bowlers under pressure right from the word go. It's great to watch him from the other end."

Laxman and Dhoni had also shared a 259-run stand for the seventh wicket in the previous Test match at Eden Gardens in February last year. The opposition was Graeme Smith-led South Africa.

Laxman also lauded Yuvraj Singh. "Both of them (Dhoni and Yuvraj) are exceptional attacking batsmen. Both are gifted and talented stroke-players, we are lucky to have such stroke-players in our team."(IANS)