NEW ORLEANS — The screams of 65,000 fans echoed through the Caesars Superdome as Taylor Swift, in a brand-new dress, stepped up to the mic and tussled her bangs for the acoustic set on Friday.

Joe Root will have to bear with that inevitable question every time he steps out to bat for a considerable period from now, looking to add to his 12,716 runs. Can he eclipse Sachin Tendulkar to the ...