India’s limited over opener Rohit Sharma, who is also known as hit-man has been one of the best opening batsmen in world cricket since 2013, especially in shorter formats of the game.  He has formed a cavalier partnership with southpaw Shikhar Dhawan.

Rohit has amassed some big scores and has even managed to score a couple of hundred while batting with the tail in Tests. Here are 5 reasons why his selection in the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series is a good decision by the BCCI selection committee:

1. Flexible batting order

Rohit Sharma is a great lower order batsman in the longest format of the game and his ability to bat in the top-order gives Indian skipper Virat Kohli sufficient amount of flexibility, as he can ask Sharma to bat at different positions in the batting order, based on the situation. This makes Rohit a great convenience for the captain during tough Test match situations.

2. Attacking brand of cricket

The hit-man is one of the best stroke players of the modern era, and once he gets going, there now stopping, even the best of the bowlers start finding shelters on his day. This serves India very well in the longest format because he is a batsman who, once has settled in can begin to rattle the opposition which gives extra time for Indian bowlers to take wickets in next innings.

3. Rohit’s fielding abilities

Rohit has always been a great modern day fielder. He has taken some fabulous catches in the past in close catching positions, and is great infielder overall as never has a bad day while fielding. He is a thinking fielder, whose reflexes are fast enough to get to the ball release it as soon as possible. He also has a fast throwing arm as well.

4. Rohit can play fast bowlers easily

Due to his familiarity with opening the batting, Rohit Sharma has the habit of facing the pacers with the new swinging ball. He has always liked playing the pacers and possesses the ability to absorb pressure for a long period of time before rattling the fast bowlers. Sharma is always ready for the loose delivery and puts them away with ease.

5. Ability to play the short ball

Rohit Sharma’s favorite shots are cover drive and his hook/pull. Both these shots he loves to play with extreme control and power. The hook shot is something he loves to play against pacers and it’s also a lethal weapon for him in the longest format of the game. His ability to calculate when is the need to defend and attack gives him the better chance to unleash his favorite shots in long innings in Test cricket.