On a flat pitch if you bat for 250 balls making a 100, an inferior team can cash in with a higher run rate and take the game away from you.
However, on a difficult deck if you face 200 balls and dent the opposition new ball bowlers against a superior bowling attack like that of Hazelwood, Starc and Cummins, then even if you make 50 runs, you can significantly advantage your team into a winning position.
Runs and average aside, Punara faced an average of over 90 balls per innings in his test career.
Is it imperative to have a player like that at 3 or can they be done without?