CricketerSachin Tendulkar, an ardent devotee of Baba visited Puttaparthi along with family to pay homage to his 'Guru' Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Sachin was a sad man on his 38th birthday yesterday as his spiritual guru Satya Sai Baba passed away at 7:40 in the morning. A 'Do Not Disturb' sign was hung on his hotel room door since the news of Baba's demise came and Tendulkar did not even meet his teammates. The Mumbai Indians captain did not celebrate his birthday in view of the tragedy and was somber in his team's victory over Deccan Chargers.

Ever since playing in the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup at Baba's behest, where Sachin led an India XI against World XI on 30th December 1997 at the Hill view Stadium in Puttaparthi, Sachin has been a regular visitor to Puttaparthi.  Sachin made a point to visit Prashanti Nilayam whenever he had the time to do so. The most recent one being when he sought the blessings of Baba just before the 2011 World Cup which India won.