"Although Bharat was unavailable for the majority of the season, he has always given time where ever he can to guide our younger players. He has been proactive and influential in promoting our club behind the scenes. He enjoys the club culture, unity and he believes in the vision."
As well as claiming Northern Districts Cricketer of the Year and SkyCity Northern Knights Batsman of the Year awards, Popli was also awarded New Zealand Cricket's Domestic Player of the Year.
In 2015-16, Popli, 25, joined a select handful of batsmen in the long history of the Plunket Shield to have scored more than 1000 runs in a first-class season.
Following his maiden first-class century against the Aces, Popli scored 1149 runs at an average of 67 per innings. He was the top scorer in the Plunket Shield this season and scored three centuries in the Plunket Shield, with a career-high 172 in the match against Central Districts at Seddon Park in Hamilton,
He also posted four other scores between 89 and 100. Only English international batsman Graeme Hick has scored more first-class runs in a season for Northern Districts.
Although Tauranga based, Popli plays his club cricket in Rotorua when he's not on representative duty.
Popli was in the same year at Tauranga Boys' College as Black Caps captain Kane Williamson.
"He is a massive inspiration," Popli said earlier this year.
"When you grow up with someone and then see him perform on the big stage and really dominate world cricket, it gives you confidence that maybe you can do it as well.
"He has done so much for Bay cricket and Northern Districts. Everyone who grew up around him has really cherished that," he said.
At the Bay of Plenty Indians Sport Club awards night, there were also accolades for the club's senior reserve side who won the thrilling T20 final.
The reserve side also made the final in the post Christmas 40-over tournament. They were unbeaten until the final and, while they didn't win the competition, the club was extremely proud of the sportsmanship and spirit they showed throughout the season.
The club also has a very successful premier hockey team playing in the Midlands Intercity competition as well.
"We are the only Indian Sports Club in the entire country that has premier teams in two codes (hockey and cricket) and we are the only Indian premier cricket side in New Zealand," said Morarji.
The club was formed in 1958. Since 2010 when it first played in the Baywide cricket competition, playing numbers have tripled.
