Which position do you think is the most difficult for a batsman?

Having seen (followed essentially) India's reply in the last two tests, I was wondering as to which batting position is the most crucial for a team's success. I am going to split the entire argument into

two factors:
1. Stability and
2. Ability to take the attack to the opponents
So logically if I have to dissect the importance of each position, I would have to first come up with a break up the role for each slot.

Openers(1,2): See the new ball off and provide a good base.
Middle order(3,4,5): Build on the platform provided by the openers or re-build a top-order collapse.
Lower Middle order(6,7): Rebuild a horrendous top and middle order collapse or hit out/late surge to score quick and eat less time.
Lower order: Pointless.

Building on the same grounds, the deal with the openers is that they are always in a frame of mind to face the music from the quickies. They always start from square one, 0/0. You might argue that if the opponents post a huge score, the openers are under huge pressure. I could argue that the pressure is even more on the person coming next with the burden of an early loss and a tall score to chase. And hence I think that number 3 is the most crucial position for any team and has to be the most technically gifted player in the side. It has more often than not been the case... Dravid, Kallis, Ponting, Sangakarra etc.
Effectively the have no clue as to when they would go in next after the start of play.

Another position which is very important is number 7. Essentially where Dhoni/Gilly play. This is so very important because they have to play with the rest of the lower order. Also they are expected to do damage control with a minimal set of resources in trying conditions (the bowlers are all fired up at the propsect of wickets with the tail in to play :)) when the top order has failed the expectations of them.

Not to undermine the importance of the middle order .. but it seems to me that these two are the most critical positions or should I say the ones with the most responsibility.


Credits : Bala for writing most of the blog. :)