TSP Player Profile: Vidit Shetty (the Pirlo of TSP)

Vidit Shetty, a new yet indispensable member of the TSP Division 1 team, has quickly established himself as one of the most effective central defensive midfielders (CDM) in the league. His style of play is often compared to the legendary Andrea Pirlo, characterized by his ability to be in the right place at the right time and effortlessly dismantle opposition defenses with precision. (and also for his cool Pony tail. But that reason is off the records of course). His elegance on the field is such that one might imagine him playing in a three-piece suit, yet still being remarkably effective.

Despite this being his first season with TSP, Vidit has a history of playing alongside Ashu at KJ Som and MSP earlier (and now at TSP). Ashu's trust in Vidit is unparalleled, as Vidit embodies the qualities Ashu values in his players:

• discipline,

• gentlemanly conduct off the field, and

• a commanding yet respectful presence on the field.

Vidit has been a professional player in the Mumbai and Thane circuits for a long time, and his passion for the game is evident in his performance.

His intensity during training is unmatched, with a 10/10 rating from his coach, who emphasizes practicing as if it were a real match. Vidit is among the few who truly embrace this philosophy, and his sincerity and perfection are evident in his gameplay.

Vidit’s elite way of doing things are evident in his career and education too - pursuing something as tough as CFA 3rd certificate and working in upcoming sector like ESG (his future is bright. Just matter of time when the world gets to witness it). He holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP).

He is currently pursuing the final level of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program and is in between jobs, having previously worked as an ESG analyst at an NBFC.

Vidit's love for football was sparked by watching the Premier League and playing with friends during his childhood. Growing up as a Chelsea supporter, his role models include Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, and Eden Hazard. Besides football, Vidit also played cricket at inter-school and club levels during his school days.

One of Vidit's cherished football memories is being nominated for the best midfielder in the MFA First Division (18/19) while playing for Somaiya FC. His pre-match routine involves listening to music and visualizing his role in the game. Vidit began playing football professionally in college and has since played for four clubs, spending 2-3 years under Ashu's guidance at Somaiya, MSP, and now TSP.

Vidit contributes to team morale by engaging with teammates to understand mutual expectations. A memorable moment with a teammate was during a playoff game with Lakers FC, where they made a remarkable comeback from 3-1 down to lead 5-3. didnt have the poetic ending it deserved, since eventually drawing 5-5.

Vidit's greatest strength on the field is his simplicity and passing ability. And he is doing his best to take the team to the Super Division for next season.

Although Vidit is brilliant in many ways he still remembers how super-fit he was 2-3 years ago. Would give anything to shed for KGs and be as fast as he used to be on the pitch earlier. And you can see the AFC / Financial analyst in him when he shares not just his wishes and hopes for Indian Football, but also highlights how? He believes that with sustained funding and careful planning, Indian football has the potential to advance significantly both domestically and internationally over the next three to five years.

Vidit Shetty's journey and aspirations reflect his dedication to football and his potential to make a significant impact on the field. His presence in TSP is not just about skill, but also about the spirit and discipline he brings to the team. He might have played for many years with Ashu earlier, but we hope he continues to play for lot more and calls TSP his home irrespective of wherever his career choices take him to in near future.