Padikkal has become a mainstay at the top of the order for RCB and scored his first Indian Premier League (IPL) century on Thursday.
Samson scored a blistering 119 in the first match of the IPL season but has since managed scores of 4, 1 and 21.
Padikkal, who scored his maiden IPL century, put up an unbeaten 181-run opening stand with Kohli to help RCB win the match on Wednesday with nearly four overs remaining.
Chris Morris became the most expensive cricketer in IPL history (INR 16.25 crore) during the auction earlier this year.
Axar had returned positive for the dreaded virus on April 3 and was transferred to BCCI's designated medical facility after it was learnt that he showed mild symptoms.
There is not much to separate between the two sides in head-to-head results. While MI have won 14, PBKS secured victory in 12 of the 26 games played between both sides so far.
The 20-year-old smashed an unbeaten 101 off 52 balls in an opening stand of 181 with Kohli as RCB registered an emphatic 10-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals.
Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians Dream11 Prediction: Find IPL 2021 Fantasy Tips for Match 17: PBKS vs MI on indiatvnews.com.
It is understood that Natarajan had never fully recovered from the knee injury because of heavy workload he endured on the tour of Australia.
RR's Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara opened up on the game in the post-match press conference, lauding the youngster Padikkal for his maturity to bat through.
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