Hit the ball on merit

While the rest of the Indian team was doddering on the back foot because of the bouncy track, he wasn't scared to shift his weight forward and punch through the off side on merit. Against Lonwabo Tsotsobe, he immediately darted out of his crease and hit the ball through mid-wicket. There was a perfect sound when leather struck willow, and it would've felt right to him, but Sachin was too bothered about how far it went, and what psychological message it sent to the South Africans, to notice.

Please explain to me what on merit means here.

Source : Mumbaimirror