Sachin in tears while paying last respects to Sathya Sai Baba

Accompanied by wife Anjali and friend V. Chamundeshwarnath, Sachin sat beside the body of Sathya Sai Baba at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prashanti Nilayam, and prayed for him.

Sachin, an ardent devotee of Baba, was seen wiping his tears from a handkerchief handed over by his wife. He also spoke to an official of Sathya Sai Central Trust sitting beside him.

Sachin, who turned 38 Sunday, did not celebrate his birthday due to Baba's death.

The batsman, who led Mumbai Indians to a victory in Sunday's Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Deccan Chargers in Hyderabad, rushed to Puttaparthi after a night halt in Hyderabad.

Sachin had visited Puttaparthi in the past and sought blessings of Baba, who died Sunday after a prolonged illness at the age of 85.