Deepak Niwas Hooda, one of the fittest athletes in the country, believes that Indian Kabaddi team has enough depth and quality to cover the absence of top defenders like Surender Nada, Surjeet Singh and Manjeet Chhillar for Asian games 2018.

Deepak was quoted as saying, “As far as our defense goes, we have Girish on the left corner. He's in tremendous form right now. I myself have been playing left-cover. Players come and go, but the team remains the same. Today, I'm a part of the team, but tomorrow perhaps some younger player will take my place. All we want to do is to win gold for India at the Asian Games." 

The edge that gives Deepak Hooda in squad selection is his defensive abilities. All year round he plays as the main raider but when it comes to national duty he dons the role of left cover defender.