Because they got defeated at home by Australia, and managed only a draw against England,?
I don't normally give excuses but here are many valid points.
1.) Firstly India is no England or Australia in SA conditions.
2.) We had just beaten Australia in Australia.
3.) We then have to return home and face them immediately again so soon after that series. No other country in the world plays Australia back-to-back.
4.) We had come off our longest non-stop playing season ever. We toured BGD, PAK, IND, had a home-tour, toured ENG and then toured Australia for quite a few months. Don't blame the boys for not being at the top of theiir game come the home-series.
5.) Then in the last test against Australia we thrashed them by an innings and plenty.
6.) Then if you actually saw the England series...we bossed it besides a silly hour in Durban. We got 20 wickets once and 19 wickets twice and we were all over them with a weakened attack with no Steyn and Kallis at times and a out-of sorts Ntini.
But as a realist and genuine cricket follower...taking away those excuses...those results don't look good on face-value but I can tell you that I know the genuine stroies behind those series' and India are going to be in for a tough series just like we will be when we tour India.
Eventhough we have an amazing record in India...we know how tough it is to tour there.